bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dragon’s AR: Narrative augmentation in Russell’s The Dragon Defenders
Authors: Halliday Matt , Narayan AD , Frommherz Gudrun
Published: August 2023

The use of augmented reality (AR) in literature has predominantly focused on providing instructional tools for educators and learners, emphasizing its capacity of enhancing engagement and supporting immersive learning. Aside from its central literacy purpose, AR in children’s literature appears in the form of digital pop-up books or as add-on games, which are usually located outside of the main narrative. In this sense, AR risks disrupting the flow of a story instead of enriching the continuous imaginative space of the narrative. The Dragon Defenders series, by James Russell, uses AR as a narrative tool in ways previously unseen in children’s literature. Russell puts the reader into the shoes of his main characters, Paddy and Flynn, using AR to show the reader what the boys themselves see. There are moments in these books where the AR system and traditional narrative system fully overlap, integrate and enhance the narrative dimension of the story. While readers navigate through the book by turning physical pages, the addition of AR at specific moments in the story not only provides a more immersive reading experience but, in this case, advances the narrative to great effect. This case study asks how AR can be used to enhance the narrative structure and flow in a text-based novel, using formal gameplay analysis to examine how the AR and narrative systems interact and identifying which examples of this interaction work to the best effect. It analyses the AR moments in the context of the book, deconstructs the unusual first-person perspective from the protagonist’s point of view and explores how these AR experiences help drive and truly augment the core narrative. The larger context of this study seeks to emancipate AR from its predominantly technological ontology and contribute to the development of AR as a genuine narrative device in fiction storytelling.
A role for confidence: volition regimes and news
Authors: SACCAL Alessandro
Published: August 2023

The economic literature presents a variety of empirical models of the structural impulse response function (SIRF) in real consumption and real output following changes in confidence or sentiment, particularly in the US and EA. This paper replicates them on the orbit of a neokeynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (NK-DSGE) model characterized in particular by macroeconomic agents and derived from start to finish. Trust is specifically modeled as an endogenous variable characterized by a coalescence of three processes governed by a degree of volition, the processes being permanent technology, transient technology, and noise technology. The first two processes affect the actual production technology with a delay of one lag, while the third does not at all. The short-run responses to changes in confidence are shown whenever the degree of willingness allows confidence to change real consumption and aggregate labor, thus being non-negligible. Whenever the degree of volition was, by contrast, negligible, exogenous shocks in noise technology would cause no fluctuation in actual consumption and actual power.
The Buckingham’s π Theorem: Consequences for the Price Theory
Authors: GANCHEV Gancho Todorov
Published: August 2023

The present article focuses on the possible interpretation of the pi theorem of physics in the field of the economics' general equilibrium analysis. The physical units of the exchanged goods are de ned as fundamental units and the neoclassical prices as dimensionless derived numbers. Thus, the general equilibrium does not need money metrics, unspeci ed money market and the complementing inappropriate incorporation of the Walras Law. Further, the main function of money is not that of a unit of account, but a means of exchange. If such type of a money market is introduced, the Walras symmetry holds but in the sense that the positive aggregate excess demand on the goods market matches the negative excess demand on the money market. Distinction is de ned between neoclassical, relative and monetary prices. Additional conditions must be met to allow for a closed monetary circulation.
Unravelling the potential of susceptibility genes in plant disease management: Present status and future prospects
Authors: Thakur Kajal , Salaria Neha , Singh Baljeet , Bhardwaj Vinay , Kukreja Sarvjeet , Goutam Umesh
Published: August 2023

The increasing global population requires an equivalent increase in food production to meet the global food demand. Crop production is challenged by various biotic and abiotic stresses, which decrease crop yield and production. Thus, proper disease management for crops ensures global food security. Various chemical, physical, and biological disease control methods have been devised and used for plant protection. However, due to the low efficiency of these methods, modern research has shifted to genetic engineering approaches. The recent advances in molecular techniques have revealed the molecular mechanisms controlling the plant’s innate immune system and plant-pathogen interactions. Earlier studies revealed that the pathogens utilize the susceptibility (S) genes in hosts for their sustainability and disease development. The resistance achieved by suppressing the S genes expression provides resistance against pathogens. Exploiting S genes for imparting/enhancing disease resistance would offer a more durable and effective alternative to conventional disease control methods. Therefore, the present review highlights the potential of this novel tool for inducing disease resistance in plants.
Recyclability and catalytic characteristics of copper oxide nanoparticles derived from bougainvillea plant flower extract for biomedical application
Authors: Natrayan L. , Kaliappan S. , Saravanan A. , Vickram A. S. , Pravin P. , Abbas Mohamed , Ahamed Saleel C. , Alwetaishi Mamdooh , Saleem Mohamed Sadiq Mohamed
Published: August 2023

This work aims to investigate the environmentally sustainable technique to synthesize the copper nanoparticles using bougainvillea flower ethanolic extract at ambient temperature. Copper nanoparticles have considerable potential for reducing the environment’s harmful pigments and nitrogen contaminants. The oxidized copper nanoscale catalysts are enclosed inside nanomaterial, which work as a benign and sustainable resource for capping agents. Ultraviolet spectroscopic, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray crystallography (XRD) techniques were used to evaluate the produced oxidized copper nanocrystals. The particles produced have been very robust, are cylindrical in form, and have an outer diameter of 12 nm. Furthermore, under normal conditions, copper oxide (CuO) nanomaterials demonstrated strong photocatalytic efficiency in liquid media for the oxidation of Congo red, bromothymol blue, and 4-nitrophenol in an acidic solution acetic anhydride. Moreover, the CuO nanocrystalline enzyme could be readily vortexed or used for five cycles with an exchange rate of even over 90%. The evaporation process caused around 18% of the loss of weight between 25°C and 190°C, while soil organic breakdown caused almost 31% of the loss of weight around 700°C. As a result, the little reduction in enzymatic effectiveness of the recoverable multilayer CuO substrate might be attributed to catalytic degradation throughout spinning and processing.
The PCOS puzzle: putting the pieces together for optimal care
Authors: Dar Mohd Altaf , Maqbool Mudasir , Ara Irfat
Published: August 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted hormonal disorder that has significant ramifications for both women’s reproductive and metabolic well-being. This analysis aims to offer a thorough comprehension of PCOS by investigating the various contributing factors that are crucial for its effective management. We delve into the topic of hormonal imbalances, such as elevated androgens and disrupted estrogen-progesterone dynamics, and their effects on reproductive and metabolic health. Furthermore, we explore the intricate connection between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and PCOS, highlighting their pivotal role in metabolic dysfunction. Additionally, we examine fertility challenges, irregular menstrual patterns, and metabolic complications while also reviewing current treatment methodologies. Moreover, we address the latest research concerning genetic, environmental, and epigenetic influences on PCOS. By piecing together these essential elements, healthcare professionals can attain a comprehensive understanding of PCOS and deliver optimal care for those affected by the condition.
Increased risk of severe COVID-19 in pregnancy in a multicenter propensity score-matched study
Authors: Cojocaru Liviu , Noe Myint , Pahlavan Autusa , Werzen Alissa , Seung Hyunuk , Yoo Young Chae Jessica , Tyson Patricia , Narayanan Shivakumar , Turan Shifa , Turan Ozhan M. , Chua Joel V.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To explore the association between COVID-19 severity and pregnancy using measures such as COVID-19 ordinal scale severity score, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study to understand the association between COVID-19 severity and pregnancy. We reviewed consecutive charts of adult females, ages 18–45, with laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020. Cases were patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy, whereas controls were not pregnant at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis. Primary endpoints were the COVID-19 severity score at presentation (within four hours) and the nadir of the clinical course. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients requiring hospitalization, ICU admission, oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death.

Results

A higher proportion of pregnant women had moderate to severe COVID-19 disease at the nadir of the clinical course than non-pregnant women (25 vs. 16.1 %, p=0.04, respectively). There was a higher rate of hospitalization (25.6 vs. 17.2 %), ICU admission (8.9 vs. 4.4 %), need for vasoactive substances (5.0 vs. 2.8 %), and invasive mechanical ventilation (5.6 vs. 2.8 %) in the pregnant cohort. These differences were not significant after applying propensity score matching.We found a high rate of pregnancy complications in our population (40.7 %). The most worrisome is the rate of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (20.1 %).

Conclusions

In our propensity score-matched study, COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of disease severity and pregnancy complications.
Classification of self-adjoint domains of odd-order differential operators with matrix theory
Authors: Zhang Maozhu , Hao Xiaoling , Wang Jing
Published: August 2023

In this article, we investigate the classification of self-adjoint boundary conditions of odd-order differential operators. We obtain that for odd-order self-adjoint boundary conditions under some assumptions, there are exactly two basic types of self-adjoint boundary conditions: coupled and mixed. Moreover we determine the number of possible conditions for each type, which is different from the even-order cases. Our construction will play an important role in the canonical forms and in the spectral analysis of these operators.
Influence of tool plunging rate on mechanical properties and microstructure of friction stir welded DMR249A high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel butt joints
Authors: Nathan Seerangan Ragu , Balasubramanian Visvalingam , Gourav Rao Ardula , Sonar Tushar , Ivanov Mikhail , Rajendran Chinnasamy
Published: August 2023

The main aim of this study is to analyse the influence of tool plunging rate on tool wear and stir zone characteristics of DMR249A high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel joints developed using friction stir welding (FSW). The HSLA steel plates were welded at five levels of tool plunging rates varying from 2.0 mm min−1 to 3.0 mm min−1. The tool rotational speed of 600 rpm and welding speed of 30 mm min−1 were kept constant during welding. The wear of FSW tool was analysed by microscopic observations of tool condition after welding, stir zone characteristics, weight loss measurement and pin profile analysis. The characterization techniques of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to analyse the microstructural characteristics of stir zone of welded joints. Results disclosed that the severe degradation of FSW tool occurred due to the sudden dynamic impact load on tool pin while plunging and more diffusion of work piece material into the tool pin which leads to insufficient plasticized material flow. The tool plunging rate of 2.5 mm min−1 showed minimum tool wear and produced defect free sound joint.
Effects of salt stress on growth of Quercus ilex L. seedlings
Authors: Gugliuzza Giovanni , Gentile Carla , Scuderi Dario , Palazzolo Eristanna , Farina Vittorio
Published: August 2023

High salt concentration is one of the main factors that affects plants’ growth, especially in urban areas. Many Mediterranean sclerophyllous species manifest high resistance to salt, although few information exists in the literature on Quercus ilex. The aim of this work was to evaluate the response of Q. ilex seedlings to salt stress conditions generated by an increasing concentration of sodium chloride on water supply irrigation. A 2-year experiment was conducted by using salt water at different concentrations (first year 50–100–200 and second year 75–150–300 mM NaCl). At increasing salt concentration, a plant growth reduction was registered in both years. Until 200 mM NaCl, the plants grew and did not show any visible damage on the leaves, while at 300 mM NaCl, all the plants died. Also, the photosynthetic rate decreased at increasing salt concentration. Sodium was accumulated in the plant parts and this accumulation occurred at the expense of potassium uptake.
Oxaliplatin causes increased offset analgesia during chemotherapy – a feasibility study
Authors: Mørch Carsten Dahl , Szpejewska Joanna E. , Poulsen Laurids Ø , Yilmaz Mette Nyholm , Falkmer Ursula G. , Arendt-Nielsen Lars
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Offset analgesia (OA) is the phenomenon where the perceived pain intensity to heat stimulation disproportionally decreases after a slight decrease in stimulation temperature. The neural mechanisms of OA are not fully understood, but it appears that both peripheral and central temporal filtering properties are involved. Chemotherapy with oxaliplatin often causes acute peripheral sensory neuropathy, and manifests primarily as a cold induced allodynia. The aim of this exploratory patient study was to investigate if OA was affected by the neurotoxic effects of adjuvant oxaliplatin treatment.

Methods

OA was assessed in 17 colon cancer patients during 12 cycles of adjuvant oxaliplatin treatment. The OA response was estimated as the decrease in pain intensity caused by a temperature decrease from 46 °C to 45 °C. Changes in the OA during the treatment period was estimated using a mixed linear model and corrected for multiple comparisons by Sidak’s test.

Results

OA was increased significantly when assessed before the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th treatment cycle compared to the first (baseline) treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusions

OA is generally decreased in persons suffering from chronic pain or peripheral neuropathy as compared to healthy controls. But in the present study, OA increased during chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. The underlying mechanism of this unexpected increase should be further explored.
Kinetic impact of a space vehicle with asteroid on collision course with earth
Authors: C de Jesus Antônio Delson , de Oliveira Fabrício Pereira , Rodovalho Robson Lemos
Published: August 2023

NEO (Near Earth Objects) are near-Earth space objects (asteroids and comets), whose orbit approaches the planet at one third of the average Earth-Sun distance. NEO are potentially capable of hitting Earth in the next century, with the exception of comets that can do so by the gravitational effect of Jupiter, pushing them into the Solar System. Current estimates1 indicate about 940 near-Earth objects larger than 1 kilometer in diameter. The US Congress has set targets for NASA's search for NEO, with 90% of them with a diameter of up to 1 km or greater in 10 years. This was motivated by a recent discovery in 2009 of a NEO approximately 2 to 3 km in diameter. These objects could cause global devastation if they hit Earth. In this research the NEO-Earth collision dynamics is studied and a statistic of physical and technological parameters is established as a mitigation strategy.
Classification tree and random forest model to predict under-five malnutrition in Bangladesh
Authors: Hemo, Sabbir Ahmed , Rayhan Md. Israt
Published: August 2023

Malnutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of five in most developing countries like Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to design a model that predicts the nutritional status of under-five children using tree based model and classical approach. This study used secondary data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014 for 7,886 children. Decision tree based model like classification tree, random forest and classical model like multiple binary logistic regression model are fitted to assess the association of malnutrition of children with potential socioeconomic and demographic factors. In this study, predictive model is developed using random forest having an accuracy of 70.1% & 72.4% and area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 69.8% and 70% for stunting and underweight respectively. The prevalence of stunting and underweight are found 36.5% and 33% respectively among under-five children and higher in rural setting than in urban areas. Similarly, wealth index, exposure of mother to the mass media, age of child, size of child at birth, and parents’ education are significantly associated with stunting and underweight of children.
Remote control systems in Italian and European legislation
Authors: Nocerino Wanda
Published: August 2023

The essay examines the Italian and European legislative innovations (in particular, Germany, France, England) regarding investigations carried out using the Trojan virus.
Protection of the cultural property under the international criminal court: a case study
Authors: Taak Sangeeta
Published: August 2023

Recently, in Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi case, the International Criminal Court (hereinafter ICC) convicted a member of a Malian jihadist organization for the war crime of “intentionally directing attacks against 10 buildings of a religious and historical character in Timbuktu, Mali” during conflict there in 2012. But even though this conviction for the sole crime of intentionally targeting cultural heritage — the first of its kind by the ICC — has rightly been lauded as a victory for the court and for cultural heritage law, it is likely to ring rather hollow as a precedent, in that the opinion provides only minimal guidance for future cases. The ICC’s reluctance to define the scope of the Rome Statute’s protection for cultural heritage more broadly, or alternatively to sound the alarm regarding certain inadequacies in its coverage, renders the symbolic and precedential value of the case less potent than it might have been. Although, the ICC deals with the protection of the Cultural Property which is also a protected property under the International Humanitarian Law still in the case, AL Mahdi was charged with “the destruction of irreplaceable historic monuments and these attacks are a callous assault on the dignity and identity of entire populations, and their religious and historical roots.”This paper explains the definition of cultural property under the modern international law and also the analytical study of the AL Mahdi case, appended with the challenges of ICC in future.
Genetic characterization of patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) in new-bussa, niger state, Nigeria
Authors: Ajayi Grace Oluwatosin
Published: August 2023

This study was carried out to identify, organize and characterize the Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) genome. Minimally invasive technique was used to obtain the blood samples for analysis. The blood samples were taken with the assistance of a professional veterinary doctor. They were transferred immediately to blood tubes which contain 95% ethanol for preservation and then stored in refrigerator before laboratory analysis. Genetic analyses revealed that the mitogenome was 16,678 base pair (bp) in length, with an overall base composition of 31.8% A, 25.8% T, 29.7% C, and 12.7% G. The A+T content (57.6%) was greater than the G+C content (42.4%). Phylogenetic analysis was based on the COI sequences of 9 individuals from different locations. The newly sequenced individuals are from Benin Republic, South West, Nigeria and North Central, Nigeria, West Africa; while other sequences were downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI database). The nucleotide diversity shows both the frequency and differences between haplotypes, hence, it is a more suitable parameter to estimate the genetic diversity in populations than haplotype diversity. The Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) was used to estimate the genetic distances among the aligned sequences. The study indicates significant genetic differentiation among all of the geographical locations which indicates high genetic distances. The findings revealed a relatively low frequency polymorphisms and absence of variants of alleles among the population of patas. This exemplified a stable demographic history with a stable population size. Hence, the study provides a useful database for analyzing the phylogenetic relationship of Erythrocebus patas. However, further genetic study is recommended for improved conservation of primates in Nigeria.
Regulatory long noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular development and congenital heart defects
Authors: Touma Marlin
Published: August 2023

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as potent regulators of cardiac development and can drive transcriptome programming, affecting all aspects of gene regulation. The functional properties of lncRNAs are notoriously diverse and have been mechanistically challenging. Thus, focused an efforts for lncRNA annotation and functional interrogation in these contexts is highly required. Herein, we discuss current approaches for identifying putative regulatory lncRNAs for the mechanistic investigation of their function in cardiovascular development and congenital heart defects (CHDs).
Unexpecting: mental health after pregnancy loss
Authors: Hawkins Ms Melissa , Chapman Cailin
Published: August 2023

, Miscarriage affects millions of women annually. The frequency of which miscarriage occurs, and the ease associated with the medical management of miscarriage has meant that a miscarriage is now considered a common pregnancy complication.1 Due to the perceived simplicity in medical management during a miscarriage, providers often neglect the mental healthcare of the mother during such a traumatic loss.2 Healthcare should be all-encompassing, efficient, effective, and humanistic, guiding patients through their treatment with physical and mental care. The medicalized view of miscarriage does not consider the physiological and psychological trauma, grief, and distress experienced by women following a miscarriage.1,2 This article will show that depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) are common after a miscarriage, particularly in a late miscarriage when a woman feels in the “safe” zone of her pregnancy journey and yet suddenly becomes unexpecting. This article will also highlight that during a miscarriage, regardless of gestational age, healthcare providers are adding to the trauma already experienced during the loss due to the lack of empathy and lack of supportive care provided.3 Additionally, this article explores what studies have concluded, that women going through a miscarriage believe that healthcare providers often lack acknowledgment of what the expecting mother is going through and healthcare providers fail to help with managing the distress and ongoing care needed following a miscarriage, contributing to disenfranchising the grief that occurs with pregnancy loss
Issues with percent coverage-based non-viable fungal analysis and new methodology for enumeration-based analysis
Authors: Wilkie Alexander D , Letters Sarah , Venz Lauren
Published: August 2023

The choices of methodology for analysis of non-viable fungal surface samples are yet to be agreed upon. The two main types of analysis of non-viable fungal (gross fungi) samples can be generally categorised as counting based (enumeration of fungal structures) or categorization based (such as percent coverage estimates or fungal rating categories). We present evidence of flaws in the percent coverage methodology due to a strong dependence on individual analyst’s subjective estimates. By using image analysis and a survey of analysts we show the high variability between analysts’ percent coverage estimates. We also propose an enumeration-based methodology which attempts to address problems in current counting-based methods by using a semi-random grid pattern of fields of view rather than a traverses-based approach.
Treatment of deep wrinkles with superficial application technique of hyaluronic acid
Authors: da Cunha Marisa Gonzaga , Gonzaga da Cunha Ana Lúcia , Gasques Luciana , Machado Filho Carlos D Apparecida , Fonseca Fernando A
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Throughout the aging process, the skin is subject to continuous structural, cellular and molecular modifications that affect not only its mechanical properties but also its biological and physiological functions, which clinically, it manifests with dry skin, loss of elasticity and the consequent appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and creases, representing a therapeutic challenge with a difficult solution. Objective: To describe the superficial application technique of cohesive polydensified matrix hyaluronic acid (Belotero soft®) for the resolutive treatment of superficial perioral, periorbicular and lateral wrinkles and creases of the face. Conclusion: The superficial and transversal application technique showed to be ideal for the treatment of wrinkles and superficial creases, without description of important adverse effects or Tyndall effect with the cohesive polydensified matrix hyaluronic acid that was applied.
Keloid disease and management difficulties
Authors: Sara Lahsaini , Ennouhi Mohamed Amine , Moussaoui Abdenacer
Published: August 2023

Keloids are benign skin tumor, they can be disabling. We report a case of a 41-year-old-man who suffered for multiple keloids and was treated successfully with surgery and brachytherapy.
Lips enhancement using hyaluronic acid
Authors: Souto Valente Denis , Bins Ely Pedro , Koehler Zanella Rafaela , Marques Jardim Georgia , Guimarães Herzog Carolina , Gianesini Gustavo , Vontobel Padoin Alexandre
Published: August 2023

Lip filling with hyaluronic acid is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure widely used to improve the appearance of the lips. This review article involved a critical analysis of the available scientific evidence on using hyaluronic acid in lip fillers, including application techniques, complications, and clinical results. The reviewed studies suggest that hyaluronic acid is effective and safe dermal filler for improving lip volume and appearance with a high patient satisfaction rate. However, the product and application technique choice must be carefully evaluated to minimize complications and maximize results. In addition, the knowledge of anatomical structures and the professional's skill are essential to obtain an aesthetic and natural result.
Alhamd treatment of vitiligo, a study of needling+ excimer laser @308nm
Authors: Sheikh Hamd , Sheikh M Iftikhar
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder where pigment producing cells in skin called melanocytes are attacked and destroyed causing milky white patches in skin. Our study to treat vitiligo is a combination of EXCIMER LASER @308nm,1,2,3 + NEEDLING.4 This study is based on a theme that the melanocytes in the normal skin around the vitiligo patch can be pushed into the Vitiligo patch and subsequent EXCIMER induced melanogenesis treats vitiligo.5 Methods: We use a 30G, 4mm stem needle. Push it through the normal skin into the vitiligo patch at the level of the D-E junction parallel to the skin. This needle push called NEEDLING drags epidermal cells including melanocytes as micro inoculation to produce multiple small populations of melanocytes in the vitiligo area,6 which is then exposed to EXCIMER to cause melanogenesis and hence repigmentation of the area.3,5,7 Multiple needle pushes are made through normal skin around the vitiligo patch, into the vitiligo patch. These needle pushes are done 1cm apart. All patients are having needling once weekly and EXCIMER 2-3 times per week.4,6 A study of this combination was done over 50 patients, in both sexes in different age groups from October 2021 to September 2022 and follow up still continued. A comparison was also done with EXCIMER alone (without needling) in some of these patients at some patches.8 Inclusion and exclusion criteria, a result criteria and a study Performa with follow-up details was set. Photos of all the patients were taken before treatment and then every 3 weeks. Results: Our combination treatment has proved very effective for vitiligo as compared to EXCIMER alone. Most patients had fast repigmentation. The best results are on the face and trunk4,6 with more then 90% repigmentation in all age groups. Repigmentation is good but slow towards peripheral parts.9,10 Repigmentation was specially noticed to start from the edge of the vitiligo patch (where needling is done) as tiny black dots and further needling through these dots gradually repigmented the central areas.4 (Figure 2, 3, 4, 6). Repigmentaion is also good over areas with grey hair with this technique as needling uses melanocytes of the skin surrounding the vitiligo patch rather than the follicular cells. This further strengthened the idea of needling as a useful combination with EXCIMER.
Between two continents queen of cities’s “Constantinopolis: new discoveries”
Authors: Aydingün Şengül
Published: August 2023

In the last 20 years, rescue excavations in modern Istanbul have revealed new discoveries about the past of Constantinople, the new capital of Ancient Rome. In 2004, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums Directorate carried out salvage excavations at the points where Istanbul's underground transportation network metro stations were planned, and the surprising finds that started with the discovery of Theodosius harbor continued with 38 ancient shipwrecks. The Istanbul Archaeological Survey in the west of Istanbul also uncovered the ancient harbors, ancient towns, castles, fortresses, dams and many other structures in 2007. The new finds shed light on the relationship of Constantinople, the Queen of Cities, with its immediate surroundings. In this part of the book, the harbours established on the western periphery of the capital.
Miri: Life with fibromyalgia and therapy
Authors: Avinor Eleanor
Published: August 2023

The story of Miri and her fibromyalgia, which is rooted in a psychosomatic interdependence, is examined from the perspective of Jung therapy. Her personal shadow is investigated as is the interweaving and enmeshment of her physical body, mind and emotions
Endovascular treatment of ruptured dorsal pancreatic artery pseudoaneurysm: case report
Authors: Maria Pereira de Godoy Jose , Souza de Lima Laura , Mariana de Morais Castellari Lenina , Gerloff Antunes Guilherme , Josimar Rossini Gustavo , Jose Pereira de Godoy Henrique , Amorim Santos, Henrique , Reis Neto Fernando
Published: August 2023

The objective of the present study is to report the technical success of the endovascular procedure in the treatment of pseudoaneurysm of the dorsal pancreatic artery. A 60-year-old white male patient came to the emergency room, complaining of the appearance of an ulcerated wound in the distal third of the left lower limb for 20 days. Alcoholic, smoker and previous diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. On physical examination, upon admission, the abdomen was normotensive, painless on palpation and without masses or visceromegaly. During the investigation of this ulcer and 12 hours after admission, the patient developed diffuse abdominal pain and distension, more intense in the upper abdomen and associated with peritonitis. A computed tomography scan of the upper abdomen and pelvis was performed, which showed a pseudoaneurysm of the dorsal artery of the pancreas with frank extravasation of contrast into the abdominal cavity, in addition to a moderate amount of free blood around the liver. He underwent endovascular embolization treatment, in which he was selectively catheterized splenic artery and dorsal pancreas with therapeutic success.
Emerging fungal infections of man
Authors: S Bhattacharyya , A Kumar , M Chakraborty , S Chatterjee
Published: August 2023

Many fungi are now emerging as important causes of superficial and deep seated infections of man. The indiscriminate use of broad spectrum antimicrobials by oral and topical routes and prolonged hospital stay have led to emergence of many new fungal pathogens like Candida auris, Histoplasma spp. and Emergomyces spp.. Of these, C. auris is an established nosocomial pathogen now and can colonize hospital surfaces very commonly. Immunocompromised status of the patients due to various causes like HIV infection, Diabetes mellitus and anticancer chemotherapy, have added to the problems of emerging mycoses. Other risk factors can be exposure to soil and vegetation, and aquatic animals, in case of Lobomycosis. Some of these emerging mycoses are caused by dimorphic fungi. Also, some of these pathogens are really not fungi but algae, like Prototheca spp. Many a times these fungal pathogens are very difficult to identify accurately and treat. Treatment options are limited and surgical excision may have to be tried. Some of them may not be culturable at all, and need histopathology to confirm diagnosis. Their taxonomy is also being revised and reviewed constantly. These aspects are very important and should be studied and reviewed. Here we have reviewed available information in this aspect.
The role of ion channels in the vital functions of the cell
Authors: LI Bon , NYe Maksimovich , KD Kurts
Published: August 2023

The cell ion channels are complex protein structures with molecular systems of opening, closing, selectivity, inactivation and regulation. The purpose of this review is to generalize and systematize literature data on the structural and functional characteristics of ion channels and methods for studying their activity. Violations of their activity can lead to a change in the functioning of the cell and the whole organism as a whole, therefore, further study of the structural and physiological characteristics of ion channels is promising and relevant.
The fourth music therapy session
Authors: Chakraborty Apoorva , Chakraborty Soubhik
Published: August 2023

We hereby present a brief report on the fourth music therapy session in connection with our ongoing research project titled Hindustani Raga Analysis Using Statistical Musicology with Therapeutic Applications for Stress Management sponsored by IDEA: Technology Innovation Hub @ Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. Details of the first three music therapy sessions have been published.
Lipids in healthcare and medicine
Authors: Duniya Sheneni Victor , Eleojo Shaibu Isaac , Sokoato Momoh Isaac
Published: August 2023

Lipids are biologically active in a variety of ways in plants, animals, and people. In addition to providing energy and necessary fatty acids, they are also significant parts of our daily diet. They also act as transporters of fat-soluble vitamins and aid in their absorption. The texture, mouth feel, and flavor of food are all influenced by lipids, which are essential as a heating medium for food processing. Structured lipids (SL) are triacylglycerols (TAG) that have undergone chemical or enzymatic modification to change the fatty acid makeup and/or where they are located within the glycerol backbone. Target fatty acids may be delivered most effectively via SL for nutritional or therapeutic objectives, as well as to treat particular diseases and metabolic problems. The chemistry, content, classification, use, presence in food, and biological functions of lipids are covered in this document. It also clarifies several facets of structured lipids, such as their applications, methods of synthesis (chemical vs. enzymatic), use in aquaculture, and potential future developments.
Evaluation of consumer’s knowledge, attitude, practice towards herbal tea consumption, preparation and their association with demographic profile
Authors: Hussain Norhayati , Salim Aida Athirah , Mohamad Siti Fatimah , Munawar Nursabrina
Published: August 2023

Consumer herbal drinks consumption should be monitored since limited knowledge of possible herbal drinks harmful effects may put the consumer in danger. It is necessary to assess whether the demographic profile shifts the awareness and practice of consumers towards the consumption of herbal tea. This study compares the relationship between demographic profile with knowledge, attitude, and practices of herbal tea. Next, the association between demographic profile with knowledge, attitude and practices of herbal tea was studied. A cross sectional study was conducted using survey questionnaire, distributed using online platform and validated with reliability of Cronbach alpha with value >0.7. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic, t-test, one-way ANOVA and chi square test. Result showed that from a total of 168 respondents, majority (72.6%) respondents have a moderate knowledge toward herbal tea and about 44.6% respondents have moderate attitude level toward herbal tea. Knowledge and attitude level relationship was insignificant (p>0.05). Moreover, comparison between knowledge level and higher educational level show significant difference (p<0.05) while the association between attitude level with age, occupation, ethnic and highest educational level show significance different at 0.043, 0.003, 0.023 and 0.020 respectively. The significance different shows that, there is measurable different between two group. Consumer consumption practices also varies among the demographic as examples: consumers prefer herbal tea in tea bag compared with other form and consumer with age range 18-26 years old prefer to buy herbal products from hypermarket/minimarket while older consumers prefer to buy from agent/ stockist. The Malaysian consumers are relatively knowledgeable on herbal tea products and believe that herbal teas were safe for consumption. The consumption practices association is used to determine consumer behavior toward herbal tea consumption and their buying decision.
Concurrence of longitudinal melanonychia and numbness in a patient with left hemiparesis suffering from thumb injury by clamp during performing occupational therapy
Authors: Wang Tzu-Ting , Chu Chih-Wei , Cheng Yuan-Yang , Chang Shin-Tsu
Published: August 2023

Numbness within the thumb involving the palmar aspect with the three and a half digits as the division is a common presentation of peripheral nerve injury. However, it is rarely observed to be presented with numbness at half of the ulnar-palmar side of the thumb, where the longitudinal melanonychia on the nail plate acts as the division. We present a case that reveals concurrence of longitudinal melanonychia and numbness suffered from a thumb injury during the course of occupational therapy.
Features of the use of osteosynthesis in the treatment of flammable fractures of long bones
Authors: Burianov ОA , Yarmoliuk Yu O , Derkach SO , Nykoliuk DP
Published: August 2023

Treatment of gunshot fractures of long bones is a complex and multi-stage process. The patient has to go through the path from primary fixation by extrafocal osteosynthesis to the moment of full fusion and restoration of function of the damaged limb. At the same time, determining the need for osteosynthesis in order to treat the patient is of great importance. The purpose of the work: to conduct an analysis of the effectiveness of using osteosynthesis in the treatment of victims with gunshot wounds of the limbs. An analysis of the treatment of ATO/JFO for the period 2014-2021 was carried out. the number of patients with gunshot fractures of long bones was 470. Conclusions: the analysis of the effectiveness of the replacement of the fixation method determined a significant (p>0.05) reduction in the risk of the development of gunshot osteomyelitis, delayed consolidation with the possible subsequent development of false joints, and contributed to the timely union of fractures and the reduction of the development of persistent contractures by 26.5% (p<0.01).
Scurvy mimic acute Leukemia in a female child and review of literature
Authors: Bo-Eisa Ahmad N , S Alarbash Mohammed , Al Khars Abdullah F
Published: August 2023

Scurvy is a nondiscriminatory disease process resulting from a nutritional deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Identifying scurvy can be demanding due to the perceived rarity of the condition, and it can become a tricky diagnostic question given to the variety of nonspecific symptoms, including skeletal and other systems affected. Diffuse musculoskeletal pain in children with no specific cause is usually fugue. Differential diagnoses include growing pain, joint hypermobility, psychogenic disorders, somatoform disorders, inflammatory diseases, and malignancies. Children with leukemia can be referred to the orthopedic when the diagnosis is still unknown; in fact, musculoskeletal pain or radiographic abnormalities can be very frequent at presentation and it could be the primary manifestation of leukemia and scurvy. We report one of rarest cases of patient present with feature of scurvy in developed area mimic Leukemia.
Antifungal activity of African medicinal plants: a review
Authors: A Alognon , S Poli , MES Montant , Y Hoinsou , L Gbati , EH Gbekley , B Djeri
Published: August 2023

In Africa many plants are used as antifungals. However, journals analysing the work of antifungal activities of plants in West Africa in recent years are rare. This study is a synthesis of publications from 2006 to 2021 on plants traditionally used in the fight against antifungal diseases. A systematic search was carried out in the Pub Med and Google Scholar database using the following keywords: vaginitis; West Africa; antifungal activity; medicinal plants; plant extracts; for articles published from 2006 to 2021. These selected articles focus on ethnobotanical studies, in vitro antifungal tests and molecules isolated from these plants. A total of 46 papers were selected from 7 West African countries with 56 plants studied. Nigeria and Ivory coast did more work with 22 and 14 papers respectively and studied more plants with 23 and 17 respectively. 43% of plants show good activity in vitro on strains of Candida albicans in the laboratory with a minimum fungicide concentration and a percentage of inhibition above 50%. The most active extracts are found in Ivory coast with respectively the hexane extracts of Terminalia mantaly with a minimum fungicide concentration= 0.024 mg / mL and the hydroethanolic extract of Terminalia ivorensis with a minimum fungicide concentration of 0.097 mg / mL. It is clear that the traditional West African pharmacopoeia can make an important contribution for the management of vaginitis.
The coleman-weinberg potential and its application to the hierarchy problems
Authors: George Likolo Anabiwa , Davy Manyika Kabuswa
Published: August 2023

The Coleman-Weinberg Potential has and is still being applied in so many areas in modern physics which include analysis of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (SSB). In the SM, SSB is attained by introducing an ad-hoc kind of modification resulting in the mass term of the of the classical potential assuming a tachyon-like characteristics. By analyzing all the terms in the classical potential, it is vivid that only the mass term possesses a dimensional constant. Thus, we can trace the Hierarchy Problem to the ad-hoc modification via the squired mass term. This paper does not only focus on the study of the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism but also shows why application of the same is likely to unveil a clue that may lead scholars to resolving the Hierarchy Problem.
Fixed point theorems for relation-theoretic F-interpolative in branciari distance with an application
Authors: Wangwe Lucas
Published: August 2023

This paper proves fixed point theorems for relation-theoretic F-interpolative mapping endowed with binary relation in Branciari Distance. Henceforth, the results obtained will be verified with the help of illustrative examples. Also, we demonstrate the results with an application in matrix equations.
A new approach for solving boundary and initial value problems by coupling the he method and Sawi transform
Authors: Rabie Sarah , Kharrat Bachir Nour , Joujeh Ghada , Joukhadar Abd Alulkader
Published: August 2023

This paper discusses and implements a newly developed technique using the He method with Sawi Transform. The main aim is to solve some initial and boundary problems. This combination exhibits an accurate strategy to obtain a precise solution for linear and nonlinear problems. To validate the proposed Hybrid method, a 4- examples are discussed, these including: Burger’s equation, telegraph equation, Kelin-Gordan equation, Duffing oscillator with cubic nonlinear term. The obtained results improve the exactness and the accuracy of the proposed combinations, and the proposed method is capable to solve a large number of linear and nonlinear initial and boundary value problems.
A brief overview of radiation waste management and nuclear safety
Authors: Davy Manyika Kabuswa , Levy Matindih Kahyata , Agripa Hamweendo
Published: August 2023

This paper focuses on how the radioactive waste is generated, classified, processed, stored, treated and eventually disposed. Understanding and management of these very important processes in nuclear technology result in compliance with nuclear safety regulations. The major public concern over nuclear energy is safety due to a history characterized with disasters and loss of human life. Radiation on one hand sends fear in the population when it comes to accepting the benefits of nuclear energy as a result of radioactive waste. This is the waste after usage of radioactive materials in nuclear power plants reactors. If care is note taken, radioactive waste has a potential of causing serious damages to the environment as well as threatening human life.
Adding and doubling solution to the 1D Fokker-Planck Equation
Authors: Ganapol B D , Pouso Ó López
Published: August 2023

The 1D Fokker-Planck equation (FPE) plays a major role in the propagation of light in the universe. It specifically describes small angle scattering of photons (and electrons) as they travel in participating media. In particular, the differential scattering term representing the phase function scattering law enables the small angle scattering. This term also makes the FPE a challenge to solve in the discrete ordinate sense. Our approach utilizes adding and doubling, which has been successfully applied since the 1960s to solve the linear Boltzmann equation. With the help of Morel’s discrete ordinate equivalence of the angular Laplacian, the FPE becomes similar to the discrete ordinates equation of linear transport theory. We then take advantage of the similarity through adding and doubling for its solution.