bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site-Specific Ground Response Analysis using the Geotechnical Dataset in Moderate Seismicity Region
Authors: Najar Imtiyaz Akbar , Ahmadi Raudhah Binti , Jamian Mohd. Azizul Hafiz , Hamza Hasmida Binti , Ahmad Azrin , Sin Chin Hon
Published: April 2022

An understanding of the soil response to dynamic waves from the earthquakes is an important aspect of engineering safety measures against tremors. This research presents the equivalent linear site response analysis of the Miri district by using a geotechnical dataset. The main objective of this paper is to study the amplification factor for the district of Miri. Analysis of site response is critical in determining the earthquake risk and harm allocation during earthquakes. The standard penetration test ‘N’ value (SPT-N) has been used in this study. A specific soil-type relationship has been used between shear wave velocity and SPT-N value to produce profiles of shear wave velocity in each borehole site in the Miri district. For all SPT-N borehole sites, site response parameters were interpolated to produce site response maps and shear wave velocity maps in the geographical information system (GIS) environment. The research showed that the Malaysian national annex to Eurocode 8 (MNA-EC8) site class C, D and E are dominant in the Miri district. Due to the inadequacy of records of input ground motions of low-to-moderate seismicity regions, this research used an earthquake record from other locations well-matched from a target response spectrum with similar characteristics obtained from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) online database (PEER NGA). The equivalent linear method (EQL) using DEEPSOIL is an extensively researched numeric technique that is used for assessment of site response. From the results, it has been found that the amplification ratio varies from 2.1 to 4.79 and it suggests that it is vital to study the site effect in the seismic hazard assessment of the Miri district. The work also emphasizes the relationship between seismic microzonation and site response analysis in order to reduce the adverse effects of earthquakes in Miri city by planning a proper land use.
Acoustic based Stress level identification using Deep
Neural architecture
Authors: S. Mahesh Reddy S. Mahesh Reddy , Y. Bhanusree Y. Bhanusree
Published: April 2022

Stress is defined in medicine as a physical, mental, or
emotional factor that generates body or mental stress.
Due to stress level humans may suffer from mental,
physical illness and discomfort. Unattended stress may
cause serious depression which leads to instability,
bipolar disorder and suicidal intentions. Stress can be
identified using Electrodermal activity sensor (EDA),
Respiratory sensor, Holster unit, Electroencephalogram
(EEG), Electrocardiogram (ECG), Speech Identifying
stress using speech is less complicated and low cost, as
separate sensors are not required. The speech features
like MFCC (mel-frequency cepstral coefficients), TEO
(Teager energy operator), TEO-CB, TEO-PWP can be
used for detection of stress. Many of the researchers in
literature used Speech Under Simulated and Actual
Stress (SUSAS) database for training the machine to
detect stress through speech. Some of the Machine
Learning(ML) algorithms like Support VectorMachine
(SVM), Hidden Markov Model (HMM), K-Nearest
Neighbour (KNN), Neural Network (NN) Algorithm like
Multilayer perceptron (MLP) and Convolutional
Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network
(RNN), RNN-Long Short Term Memory(RNN-LSTM)
are also used for stress detection in literature .In this
proposed work RNN-LSTM Attention based algorithm
is to be implemented to identify stress levels like High
level stress, Low level stress and Neutral level stress.
Race, Gangs and Youth Violence
Authors: Gunter Anthony
Published: April 2022

This book challenges current thinking about youth violence and gangs, and their racialisation by the media and the police. It highlights how the street gang label is unfairly linked to Black (and urban) youth street-based lifestyles/cultures and friendship groups.
Hungry Britain
Authors: Lambie-Mumford Hannah
Published: April 2022

Drawing on empirical research with the UK’s two largest food banks, this book explores the prolific rise of food charity over the last fifteen years and its implications for overcoming food insecurity.
Religion and Welfare in Europe
Authors: Bäckström Anders , Davie Grace
Published: April 2022

This book compares regional conceptions and variations of welfare in relation to national religious traditions across key parts of Europe. Using comparative case studies, the book examines the transition from research to practical policy recommendations, highlighting the similarities and differences between selected European countries.
For Whose Benefit?
Authors: Patrick Ruth
Published: April 2022

For Whose Benefit? explores how those at the sharp end of welfare reform experience changes to the benefit system. It looks at how the rights and responsibilities of citizenship are experienced on the ground, and whether the welfare state still offers meaningful protection and security to those who rely upon it.
Legal Aid in Crisis
Authors: Moore Sarah , Newbury Alex
Published: April 2022

This book is the first to evaluate the recent reforms of UK legal aid from a social policy perspective and assess their impact on family law courts and advocacy. It argues that the reforms effectively ‘delawyerise’ disputes, producing a more inquisitorial justice system and impacting the litigants, court system, staff and process.
Various mixture control strategies for a light duty gas engine with scavenged pre-chamber
Authors:   Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, CZECH REPUBLIC, Syrovatka Zbynek , Vavra Jiri , Takats Michal
Published: April 2022

This work presents research and development of an advanced ignition system with the scavenged pre-chamber for extremely lean mixture combustion in a natural gas fueled engine for a light duty truck. The goal of the work is efficiency improvement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of an engine with a simple and robust after-treatment system, capable to comply with current and future emission limits. The results of experiments show that the scavenged pre-chamber significantly expands the flammability limit compared to the conventional gas fueled SI engine. Low temperature combustion of extremely diluted charge enables to achieve high engine efficiency and low NOx emissions in raw exhaust gases and reduces the necessity of using a special NOx after-treatment. At full load conditions, the pre-chamber engine is able to operate with the stoichiometric mixture to achieve the highest possible power density. The stoichiometric operation is also compatible with a simple three-way catalyst. The proposed control strategy for the pre-chamber engine therefore assumes the use of a combination of stoichiometric operation at high load and lean combustion concept in part and low load region. The paper describes an experimental mapping and optimization in steady state engine operation in selected points of the full performance map with stoichiometric and lean combustion. Tests with activated and de-activated scavenging of the pre-chamber were performed as well. Optimum combustion phasing was considered. Wide range of air excess ratio was investigated to obtain the NOx and combustion efficiency trends for subsequent considerations. Based on the measured results, a detailed engine model was thoroughly calibrated. Transient cycle modelling of proposed fueling control strategy in the World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC) was carried out. Multiple levels of air dilution at low load region were tested and the optimal setting was chosen regarding the combustion efficiency. The results were compared with the conventional SI engine operated with the stoichiometric mixture full time. The results show the operating region where the lean strategy is beneficial in terms of NOx and CO2 emissions. At the current stage, the potential for 5% WHTC CO2 emissions reduction is shown, maintaining NOx emissions level below the current emission limit.
Additional Cooling of Engine Exhaust Gas
Authors:   ŠKODA AUTO a. s., CZECH REPUBLIC, Hradiský Jan
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND Nowadays with the demanding regulation of exhaust gas emissions comes a requirement on the operation of SI-combustion engine entirely with the stoichiometric fuel-air mixture (λ=1). Since the enriched mixture has been used mainly for preventing the overheating of catalytic convertor, it’s necessary to avoid the overheating with other technical solution. PRINCIPLE The close-coupled converter is together with the cooled exhaust manifold the State-of-the-art design for the most of the current engines. However only the part of the exhaust manifold integrated in cylinder head contains liquid cooling. This design seems to be sufficient (for λ=1 operation) for turbocharged engine (turbine consumes the entalphy of hot gases and thereby reduces their temperature before reaching the converter). Our goal was to develop the new concept for naturally aspirated engines, in which the current design is unable to fulfill the requirements. In our new patented design there is a liquid-cooled area extended beyond the cylinder head flange cooling the entire manifold up to the convertor. The most important is the design of water-jacket which is tied up to cylinder head’s, making single functional unit, reducing cost and technological complexity. DESCRIPTION From technological point of view was created a new part, which is quite uncommon for today’s engine production. It is basically aluminium component containing exhaust and coolant channels which are cast hollow using sand cores installed in the holder mould (the same technology as by cylinder head). The part is mounted to the cylinder head flange using 5 bolts, on the other side with V-clamp to the catalytic convertor. CHALLENGES The component has to withstand high thermal load, especially the V-clamp connection, which is located between two components with highly different temperatures. High temperatures represent the risk of coolant degradation after engine shutdown. The component has an impact on the whole engine, exhaust and also brings considerable changes to the software application. RESULTS New design containing the „Additional cooling of engine exhaust gas“, enables the stoichiometric operation of naturally aspirated SI-engine under all engine operating conditions. This solution has been successfully tested, met all required targets, qualified the concept for use into the serial production.
Energy Management System Optimization Based on V2X Connectivity
Authors:   Politecnico di Torino, ITALY, Millo Federico , Rolando Luciano , Pulvirenti Luca
Published: April 2022

Fuel economy of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) may be further improved by exploiting the increased connectivity level of next -generation vehicles. Minimization of HEVs fuel consumption is a global problem and its optimal solution inevitably entails the complete knowledge of the driving conditions. Hence, optimality can only be reached on a limited number of a priori known mission profiles, and never on real driving test cases . Thus, the capabilities of conventional Energy Management Systems (EMS) can be strongly enhanced by integrating the prediction of future vehicle speed into the powertrain control strategy. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology adoption paves the way for reliable future driving conditions forecasting. As a result, in this paper information derived from V2X connectivity was used to develop an innovative adaptation algorithm for an Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS). Traffic information and driving style identification were employed to predict future driving conditions and, in turn, to adapt the equivalence factor. Hence, some innovative correction parameters were introduced in the equivalence factor formulation, in order to periodically adapt it according to the predicted vehicle speed. The continuous equivalence factor optimization was aimed at ensuring enhanced fuel economy and at guaranteeing charge sustainability. The potential of this innovative Adaptive ECMS (A-ECMS) was assessed on a P2 architecture test case by means of numerical simulation. The reliability of the simulation platform had been preliminarily validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data. The experimental measurements were obtained by testing a Mercedes-Benz E 300 de on real-world driving scenarios. The simulation results proved that the proposed approach is able to significantly improve the strategy adaptability and its fuel economy potential if compared with the conventional EMS taken as reference. Fuel consumption reductions up to 10 % were demonstrated, depending on the vehicle mission profile. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed in order to assess how different prediction horizons affect the adaptive algorithm.
Територіальна оборона та її медичне забезпечення – веління сьогодення
Authors: Pechyborsch V. P. , Yakimets V. M. , Ogorodniychuk I. V. , Yakimets V. V. , Pechyborsch O. V.
Published: April 2022

Мета роботи полягає в дослідженні позитивного досвіду АТО/ООС та шляхів оптимізації діяльності медичних сил ЗС України з метою створення оптимізованої моделі організації медичного забезпечення Сил територіальної оборони в умовах національного спротиву - територіальної оборони, руху опору та підготовки громадян України до національного спротиву. 

Матеріали та методи. Вивчали стан організації медичного забезпечення Сил територіальної оборони, проблемні питання та шляхи їх вирішення на предмет позитивного досвіду організації медичного забезпечення Сил оборони в АТО/ООС та екстреної медичної допомоги (далі ЕМД) в надзвичайних ситуаціях (далі НС) в системі охорони здоров’я України та Єдиній державній системі цивільного захисту. Матеріалами слугували нормативно-правові акти, що регламентують діяльність медичних сил ЗС України, та ЕМД в НС, публікації у відкритих джерелах інформації. Методи досліджень: бібліографічний, аналітичний, системного підходу

Результати. В результаті проведеного аналізу визначено, що медичні сили ЗС України в цілому готові до виконання завдань за призначенням, але повна готовність медичної служби командування Сил територіальної оборони як органу управління медичним забезпеченням, медичної служби бригад та батальйонів Сил територіальної оборони у такий короткий термін не можлива, але є альтернативні варіанти вирішення цієї важливої державної проблеми.

Висновки. Медична служба Сил територіальної оборони зможе виконати завдання з надання медичної допомоги особовому складу підрозділів Сил територіальної оборони та населенню у повному обсязі при умові використання територіального принципу в єдиному медичному просторі із залученням сил і засобів територіальних підрозділів Центрів ЕМД та медицини катастроф областей та наявних закладів охорони здоров’я, підсистеми медичного захисту в Єдиній державній системі цивільного захисту.
Research on the composition development of suppositories with echinacea and study of their stability
Authors: Herasymova I. V. , Yurieva H. B. , Yarnykh T. H. , Voronenko D. V.
Published: April 2022

The purpose of the work was to experimentally substantiate the composition and study the stability of extemporal suppositories with Echinacea, intended for use in complex therapy and prevention of genitourinary diseases.

Materials and methods. The object of the study was samples of suppositories made by pouring using liquid Echinacea extract as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Cocoa butter, Witepsol H15 and Witepsol W35 were used as suppository bases. The study was carried out using modern physicochemical, pharmaco-technological and microbiological methods.

Results. On the basis of the carried out physicochemical and pharmaco-technological studies, it was found that in the manufacture of suppositories using liquid Echinacea extract, Cocoa butter or Witepsol can be used as a suppository bases. The main indicators of the quality of suppository samples were also studied: organoleptic characteristics, average weight, melting point, time of complete deformation, microbiological purity, meeting the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia.

Conclusions. As a result of the carried out physicochemical, pharmaco-technological and microbiological studies, a suppository base was selected for the creation of extemporal suppositories for the treatment and prevention of genitourinary diseases, the main quality indicators were established that meet the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine, and the shelf life of the suppositories is 10 days.
“Gamificación en la enseñanza en la educación superior para su correcta implementación: cartografía conceptual”
Authors: García Clara Elizabeth Torres , González Rosa María Romero , Basaldúa Laura Chavero , Martínez Francisco Javier Paulín
Published: April 2022

El propósito de esta investigación documental, realizada con el método de la cartografía conceptual, fue hacer un estudio del termino gamificación en la educación superior. En total, se obtuvieron 102 textos, de los cuales se seleccionaron únicamente 22 para su revisión. Los ejes de análisis fueron: noción, categorización, caracterización, diferenciación, división, vinculación, metodología y ejemplificación. El hallazgo principal fue la comparación de conceptos entre gamificación, juegos serios, aprendizaje basado en juegos y juegos educativos. Lo anterior permitirá conocer las diferencias entre los conceptos para hacer una correcta implementación en las estrategias educativas.
Um olhar sobre a história, as histórias e as memórias no universo literário de Carolina Maria de Jesus
Authors:   , Campos Vanessa Lopes Coutinho
Published: April 2022

Esta dissertação buscou apresentar uma reflexão sobre a trajetória literária da escritora Carolina Maria de Jesus, que, ao olhar desta pesquisa, foi constituída de um entrelace entre, de um lado, o momento histórico que ela viveu, as histórias que a compuseram enquanto escritora, mulher, negra, pessoa; e, de outro, as memórias que se tornaram a substância de sua obra. Buscou-se também descrever uma introdução sobre a vida da autora, conferindo relevância à sua ascensão e ao sucesso com o público. Pretendeu-se, dessa forma, que o leitor, após conhecer o passado de Carolina, pudesse compreender como esse passado foi um dos importantes elementos para a construção do seu íntimo literário. De tal modo, o trabalho contempla a análise sobre o conteúdo, o estilo, o lirismo da autora nas obras Quarto de despejo, diário de uma favelada (1960), Pedaços da fome (1963) e Antologia Pessoal (1996), apoiado nos estudos de relevantes nomes, como Massaud Moisés, Antonio Candido, Jean-Marie Thomasseau e estudiosas especialistas na escrita da Carolina de Jesus, como Rafaella Fernandez e Aline Arruda; além do organizador da Antologia Pessoal, José Carlos Sebe Bom Meihy. Compartilhou-se também estudos sobre como a tradição oral, a autoficção e a memória fazem parte da constituição de um percurso que materializou a realização do projeto literário pensado por Carolina, conferindo uma análise crítica mais profunda e abrangente ao contexto de sua principal publicação: Quarto de despejo (1960). Para tais considerações, destacou-se pesquisas de Márcio Seligmann-Silva, Amanda Ferreira, Phillippe Lejeune, Eurípedes Figueiredo, Dirceu Magri, Maurice Halbwachs e Jacques Le Goff. Ademais, verificou-se como se deu a descoberta, a reinvenção e a (re)afirmação da força da sua identidade por meio de sua produção literária, partindo para discussões acerca do posicionamento feminino bem como a construção de sua escrevivência nesse meio, demonstrando momentos de repressão sofridos, a exploração de sua imagem e sua representação na contemporaneidade. Para isso, recorreu-se a estudiosos como Pierre Bordieu, bell hooks, Angela Davis, Mary Wollenstonecraft e Conceição Evaristo. Palavras-chave: Carolina Maria de Jesus. Literatura feminina. Memória.
الأوضـــاع الاجتـماعيـة والاقتصــادية للنــازحين دراسة ميدانية لعينة من النازحين إلى محافظة عدن
Authors: Al-sabaee Majed Ahmed , Al-adeeb Thekra Mohmmed
Published: April 2022

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على الأوضاع الاجتماعية والاقتصادية للنازحين إلى محافظة عدن وشملت الأوضاع التعليمية والصحية والأمنية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية من وجهة نظرهم ومدى وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية لهذه الأوضاع فيما يتعلق بالمتغيرات المستقلة للدراسة عند مستوى دلالة (0.05)، ووضع الباحثان تساؤلات للدراسة تمثل الأهداف واعتمدا على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي واستعملا أدوات الدراسة (الاستبانة، والمقابلة، والملاحظة) وطبق الاستبانة على عينة من النازحين قوامها (179) مفردة في محافظة عدن عام (2019– 2020م)، وتضمنت الدراسة إطار نظري شمل المصطلحات العلمية المتعلقة بعنوان الدراسة (النزوح، النازحين)، ثم الدراسات السابقة والنظريات العلمية المفسرة لظاهرة الهجرة الوافدة والنزوح (النظرية الوظيفية، نظرية الجذب والطرد) واستخدم الباحثان البرنامج الإحصائي (spss) لتحليل البينات وتفسيرها وتوصلت الدراسة إلى نتائج أهمها وجود نزوح جماعي للأسر من مناطق التماس، ومعظم الأسر لا يلتحق أطفالها بالمدارس بانتظام، وكانت أهم الأسباب التي تمنعهم من ذلك هي عدم توفر الإمكانيات الاقتصادية للأسر وانشغال الأطفال بأعمال من شأنها مساعدة اسرهم، وتحصل الأسر النازحة على الخدمات الصحية المتمثلة بخدمات الأمومة والطفولة وتنظيم الأسرة، والتلقيح الدوري للأطفال، ويعيش الغالبية العظمى من أفراد أسر النازحين في مسكن واحد، وعدد لا بئس به ويحصلون على الخدمات العامة (ماء، وكهرباء، وطريق)، وتوجد علاقات اجتماعية ايجابية للنازحين مع مخالطيهم بدرجة مرتفعة، كما أن معظم الأسر تشعر بالغربة والابتعاد عن الأهل، وتشعر الأسر بالأمن في مناطق النزوح، وتستطيع الدخول والخروج من مسكنها بأي وقت، ولم تتعرض للعنف الجسدي واللفظي والجنسي خاصة، كما أن مظم النازحين يعملون في مهن حرة وحرف يدوية، وهي منخفضة الدخل ويعمل أطفال النازحين لمساعدة أسرهم، ويحصل جزء يسير منهم على مساعدات نقدية من منظمات دولية، وجزء أقل من ذلك يحصلون على مساعدات عينية، وبينت الدراسة ان النساء أكثر تأثر من النزوح خاصة المطلقات منهن وتوصل الباحثين إلى توصيات يمكن إيجازها في التزام الأطراف المشاركة في الصراع المسلح بنهج الحوار لحل القضايا الخلافية قيام كل من المجتمع الدولي ومنظماته بدورهما الحقيقي في إنهاء الصراع المسلح وتحمل تبعاته، تقديم الرعاية الاجتماعية والاقتصادية لفئة النازحين.
A study of association between presence or absence of GSTT1 and GSTM1 and/or single nucleotide polymorphism in FABP2 and GSTP1 with incidence of diabetes type 2: a case-control study
Authors: Hira Jamil  , Adeela Awan  , Atif Akbar  , Muhammad Babar  , Sana Akhtar  , Rana Khalid Iqbal  , Furhan Iqbal
Published: April 2022

Objective: To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in fatty acid binding protein-2 (rs1799883) and glutathione S-transferase pi (rs1695) genes with presence/absence of glutathione S-transferase mu and glutathione S-transferase theta genes in type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology during March till September 2019 and comprised type 2 diabetes patients and non-diabetic controls from two districts in southern Punjab. Polymerase chain reaction, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction were applied to investigate glutathione S-transferase theta, mu and pi genes as well as fatty acid binding protein-2, as appropriate. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in all genes with the disease were studied either individually or in various combinations. Data was analysed using Minitab 18.
Results: Of the 448 subjects, 248(55.4%) were patients and 200(44.6%) were controls. Overall there were 213(47.5%) males and 235(52.5) were females, and 141(31.5%) were aged 30-46 years. The presence of rs1799883 in fatty acid binding protein-2 (p=0.03) and the absence of glutathione S-transferase mu gene (p<0.001) had significant association with type 2 diabetes, while the presence of glutathione S-transferase theta and rs1695 in glutathione S-transferase pi genes were not associated with the disease. Individuals with glutathione S-transferase mu gene null and Ileu/Ileu or Ileu/Val genotype of rs1695 in glutathione S-transferase pi gene have potential to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime (p<0.05).
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Translation and validation of MHAQ score in local language Urdu in Patients with rheumatoid arthritis presenting in a tertiary care center of Pakistan
Authors: Ehsan Amna , Mushtaq Samina , Salim Babur , Samreen Saba , Gul Haris , Nasim Amjad
Published: April 2022

Objective: To translate and validate the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire from English to Urdu.
Method: The validation study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 1 to September 30, 2019. Two translators were given the modified health assessment questionnaire for translation from English to Urdu. It was then back-translated by two independent translators. The translated version of the tool was applied to rheumatoid arthritis patients to check for reliability, test-retest and internal consistency. It was applied to another group of patients to check for criterion validity. Reliability analysis was checked by applying Cronbach alpha. Criterion validity was checked by assessing disease activity score-28 and its correlation with Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
Results: Of the 30 patients in the initial testing, 28(93%) were females and 2(6.6%) were males, with an overall mean age of 38±13.2 years. Of the 100 patients in the second group, 97(97%) were women and 3(3%) were men, with an overall mean age of 42±12.37 years. The mean disease duration of the cohort was 8.4±4.8 years. The Cronbach alpha value was 0.797 and interclass coefficient was 0.7, reflecting good reliability. A significantly high correlation between Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and disease activity score-28 was noted along with pain, tenderness, swollen joints, patient global assessment, age and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.05), while poor correlation was found with gender, disease duration, rheumatoid arthritis factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (p>0.05).
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Four decades of urolithiasis: What has changed in our practice?
Authors: Manzoor Hussain  , Saeed Abidi
Published: April 2022

Urolithiasis is the most common urologic disease in Pakistan, which is treated and managed by urologists throughout their careers.1 Its exact prevalence and incidence has never been investigated in the country, but a few rough estimates show the disease prevalence to be 9-15%.2 The oldest study on urolithiasis on 400 patients, was published in 1975, which showed predominantly bladder stone disease accounting for 60% of all cases.3 After the first publication, about 35 papers have been published on this subject from Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi, Pakistan. SIUT is a major tertiary care urology and nephrology center with a catchment area extending to almost the entire country.

In this resume the subject of stone disease from 1971 onwards will be presented to note the changes in its epidemiology and management. Collectively, 83,107 adult stone patients were treated during the above period. The number of stone patients has increased enormously from 2,345 between 1971-1982 to 8,905 during 1983-1993, and 27,541 during 1994-2004 period. Finally, during the years, 2005-2014, 45,318 patients were managed.4 This tremendous increase in the number of patients could be attributed to increasing free facilities of minimally invasive surgery including Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), Percutaneous Nephrolithonomy (PCNL) and Ureteroscopy (URS) at this institute, availability of ultrasound at tehsil and district level hospitals, or due to increasing incidence and prevalence of stone disease in the country.

Similarly, if the peak age and gender differences at different periods in the four decades are studied, then it can be seen that from 1972-1974, the peak age was 21-40 years with M:F ratio of 4.5:1.3, in 1987-1990, it was 31-40 years with M:F ratio 4.1:1, in 1991-1993, it was 21-30 years with M:F ratio of 4.8:1, in 2001-2004, it was 31-40 years with M:F ratio of 1.7:1.4

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Prediabetes: A Pragmatic approach to counselling and coaching
Authors: Sanjay Kalra  , Arbinder Singal  , Nitin Kapoor
Published: April 2022

Prediabetes is often considered as the link between normoglycaemia and diabetes. Though a lot of emphasis is given to an individual after the development of diabetes, pre-diabetes is often not adequately addressed in clinical practice. Given a distinct diagnostic criterion, its association with metabolic complications, an opportunity to prevent further progression to diabetes and the large number of people affected with it, makes it a subject of great importance and opportunity. In this brief manuscript we compare and contrast prediabetes with diabetes mellitus. We also describe a pragmatic approach to address a patient with prediabetes.

Keywords: Prediabetes, Diabetes, Diabetes Education, Counselling, Diabetes coach, Lifestyle therapy, Behavior change.
Effect of median nerve neuromobilization on functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a double blinded randomized control trial
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Junaid , Karimi Hossein , Gillani Syed Amir , Ahmad Ashfaq , Chaudhary Muhammad Asad
Published: April 2022

Objective: To measure additional benefits of neuromobilisation along with conventional treatment in improving the functional status in patients having carpal tunnel syndrome.
Method: The prospective, double-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted from August 2018 to June 2019 at the Physiotherapy outdoor clinic of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised patients of either gender aged 20-45 years with <3-month history of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patients were randomised into control group 1 and experimental group 2. Group 1 received conservative treatment including ultrasound therapy, wrist splinting, and tendon-gliding exercises, while Group 2 additionally received neuromobilisation. Functional limitation was measured using the Functional Status Scale and the Symptom Severity Scale of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. Patients had 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Clinical data was noted at baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment and finally at the end of the 6-week intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
Results: Of the 66 patients, there were 33(50%) in Group 1; 3(9.1%) males, 30(90.9%) females, overall mean age 37.79 ±5.91 years. The remaining 33(50%) were in Group 2; 2(6.1%) males, 31(93.9%) females, overall mean age 35.58 ±7.15 years. Both the groups showed significant improvement (p <0.05), but the addition of neuromobilisation in Group 2 showed better results compared to Group 1(p<0.05).
Conclusion: The addition of neuromobilisation to routine physical therapy was found to have significantly decreased the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and improved the functional status of the patients.
Key Words: Functional status, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Neuromobilisation.
Correlation of insulin resistance with neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and serum ferritin in male patients of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Uzma Zafar  , Ali Zaima , Khaliq Saba , Lone Khalid Pervaiz
Published: April 2022

Objective: To determine the correlation of insulin resistance with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum ferritin, and to evaluate whether NLR and serum ferritin can predict insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome.
Method: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, from July 2016 to 2019, and comprised male patients of metabolic syndrome and healthy controls. The correlation involving insulin resistance, serum ferritin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was determined. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 210 subjects, 160(76.2%) were cases with a median age of 45 years (interquartile range: 39-50 years), and 50(23.8%) were controls with a median age of 41 years (interquartile range: 35-50 years). Serum ferritin, alanine aminotransferase, total neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly higher  among the cases than the controls (p<0.05). Significant positive correlation of insulin resistance was observed with serum ferritin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (p<0.05)) among the cases. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio significantly predicted insulin resistance among the cases (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was fund to be a significant predictor of insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome.
Key Words: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Ferritin, Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance.
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How to teach ethics to the undergraduates in clinical context?
Authors: Niaz Khurram , Mahboob Usman
Published: April 2022

Teaching ethics to undergraduates is no more a part of hidden curriculum rather it is a norm to be incorporated in the formal curriculum. Regarding instructional strategies, the consensus is stagerry and mainly based on the institutional choices. To develop moral reasoning and address the social value system, Cognitive part is delivered through lecturing while affection part is discussed via reflective practices in small group settings through deliberate moral case teachings and portfolio note book writings. However the outcome of such practices is yet to be known. However we suggest that the ethical curriculum should base on the reflective practices, social constructivism and experiential learning.
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Stockholm3 - A new option to detect Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ali Moosa Zulfiqar , Ahmad Roshaan , Akmal Amna
Published: April 2022

Prostate cancer is the second most often diagnosed cancer and the sixth most prevalent cause of cancer mortality in males globally.1 It is usually screened by measuring prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. However, the PSA test results in unnecessary biopsies, over-diagnosis, over-treatment, and higher expenses.2 The Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, developed the Stockholm3 test to overcome PSA test’s shortcomings.
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Social Economic Conditions of Communities in The Post-Natural Disaster Relocation: Case of Permanent Residence of Tondo and Duyu Villages
Authors: Taqwa Edhi , Muslimin  , Mangun Nudiatulhuda , Rombe Elimawaty , Sutomo Maskuri
Published: April 2022

The research aims to Analyze changes in socio-economic conditions experienced by residents in the Permanent Housing area (Huntap) Tondo and Huntap Duyu, Analyze socio-economic activities needed by Huntap residents, Knowing and analyzing which parties are dominant in the recovery of socio-economic conditions in the Huntap area. The data used in this study is in the form of primary data sourced from 60 respondents consisting of 30 respondents residing in the Huntap Tondo area and 30 respondents residing in the Huntap Duyu area. In addition to the 60 respondents in this study also conducted interviews with Community Leaders, village head, Entrepreneurs, Employees of Zhu Chi Buddhist Foundation, and the State Civil Apparatus located in the Huntap Tondo and Huntap Duyu areas which amounted to 9 respondents. Analytical methods used Descriptive analysis through qualitative and quantitative approaches used to explain the activities of people living in the Huntap area from social and economic aspects, and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), used to determine priority socio-economic activities and the dominant party in establishing social economic conditions in the Huntap region. The results showed that the disaster of September 28, 2018 has negatively impacted the social and economic conditions of affected communities living in the Huntap area characterized by deteriorating family member education, loss of some family members, increasing erratic types of work, decreased income, decreased quality of residence, and reduced property ownership. People affected by disasters living in the Huntap area still need the construction/arrangement of housing, living costs, and job opening, with priorities in order of need: job opening, cost of living assistance, followed by residential development. The parties who play the most role in the development/recovery of economic and social conditions in the Huntap region respectively are the government sector, private sector/entrepreneurs, and followed by Non Governmental Organization.
Teachers Preparedness in Implementation of Alternative Assessment in Primary Schools within the Competency Based Education System of Kenya
Authors: Mutiso Pius M. , Odhiambo Karen T.
Published: April 2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate teachers’ preparedness for the implementation of alternative assessment in primary schools in Kenya. The location for the research was Matungulu Sub-County in Machakos County in Kenya. The survey design was adapted in the study. The study was guided by three objectives, which aimed at determining teachers’ knowledge and skills for the implementation of alternative assessment (AA), application of alternative assessment strategies at classroom level and teachers’ perception for the implementation of AA. The study involved 32-schools with 32 Grade-3 teachers as respondents. Qualitative method was applied using questionnaires. Findings indicated that grade three teachers had insufficient knowledge and skills hampering practice. However, they tend to lean towards traditional assessment strategies. Further, the findings revealed that grade three teachers had near positive verses negative perception towards implementation of AA. This may mean that teachers will be ready for the changing learning landscape towards competency-based education. The teacher’s perception levels reveal an acceptable but not optimum level of readiness to manage education process within a self-regulated learning whose focus is on development of thinking skills more so critical thinking. The findings are supported by the fact that that the three predictor variables had a positive and significant association with implementation of alternative assessment as denoted by their beta coefficients of 0.727, 0.709 and 0.641 respectively, with all having p values < 0.05. On this basis, it could be concluded that since perception is shaped by belief and experience, then the experience of teacher could be regarded as meaningful regarding AA. This can then be said to be tangible and not implied. In terms of knowledge and skills, there is an element of knowledge however, key issues are below threshold such as knowledge of portfolio and confidence in suing AA. At the same time there could be a challenge for both teachers and learners in finding their reserve to flourish as they regulate their roles thus deeming the desire to be autonomous in learners learning and as critical thinkers. There is need for further training and getting all to know and understand their perception. The end result for education researchers is to build a theoretical basis for describing educational dispositions on alternative assessment practice. The results do not provide a trend or pattern. Thus, the proposal for further research and thought in this area as the literature is also not conclusive.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THREE SEQUENTIAL EXTRACTION PROCEDURES FOR SECONDARY METABOLITES IN SEEDS OF PORTULACA OLERACEA PLANT BY GC.MS TECHNIQUE
Authors: H. NASER Estabraq , R. ALANSARI Haifaa
Published: April 2022

Secondary metabolites referred to as phytochemical compounds that have importance in the recovery of many ailments. In order to identify these compounds and get their benefits, they must be identified and isolated from their parent plant; one of them is Portulaca oleracea that is belongs to portulacaceae family. The seeds are extracted by three different sequential extraction methods including petroleum ether, Ethylacetate, and methanol in way based on gradual increasing solvent polarity. The quantification and identification of the compounds were carried out by gas chromatography mass detection apparatus. The result shown that these seeds contain many secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and phenolic compounds. The GC-MS analysis of the seeds extracts showed the presence of many important compunds such as, trans-geranylgeraniol, tetracosanoic acid, trans-farnesol, digitoxin, vitamin E, estrol and cis-6-octadecenoic acid in high percent in addition to little percent distributed between β-sitosterol, gitoxigenin, (+)-α-tocopherol, camphene, hexadecane, δ-elemene, 3- methoxybenzyl alcohol, ecgonine, (-)-myrtenol, cholecalciferol, 9- cis-retinal, limonene-6-ol,pivalate, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, humulene, patulin, 1,12- tridecadiene, isopropyl linoleate, pentadecane, elaidic acid, ascorbic acid,permethyl-, dodecanedioic acid, carvedilol, heptadecanoic acid, linolenic acid, kampferol-3,4'-dimethyl ether, and scopoletin, it is important to mention that these compounds can be utilized in the treatment of many diseases as single drug
Development of In-Pipe Water Pollution Detection System Focusing on pH Contaminant
Authors: Abdul Aziz Nuraini , Chemani@Jumani Muhammad Aiman , Anuari Muhammad Safwan , Shamsuddin Muhammad Aiman Hakimi , Mohamed Ariff Azmah Hanim
Published: April 2022

Developing an in-pipe water pollution detection system ensures that the contaminated water will not enter the system in the event of water pollution, hence reducing the possibility of a water crisis. In this research, the design of the system was completed using SOLIDWORKS. ANSYS software was used for the deformation simulation analysis of the pH sensor and the ball valve installed in the system due to water pressure. The maximum deformation of the ball valve occurred at the edges of the ball valve for a fully-closed valve and the middle tip of the ball valve when the valve was opened 45°. The deformation is similar in these conditions due to the small area at the edges; thus, the pressure at the location is higher. For the pH sensor, the deformation of the body is approximately 5.7138 × 10-4 mm. The maximum stress is below the limit, proving that the sensor is suitable for operating in that position. Overall, the experimental results proved that the system is able to detect if the water is polluted by sensing the pH level changes in the water and managing the flow of the water pipe. In the future, by complementing this system with the Internet of Things (IoT), it can assist and alert workers in water treatment plants to detect water pollution in their treatment facility at the earliest stage. Thus, reducing operational costs and the closure of water treatment plants can be prevented in the future.
Fabrication of Single Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (SMFC) Using Soil as a Substrate
Authors: Sahari Siti Kudnie , Firdaus Rosli Mohd. Zulhilmi , Butit Amir Maina , Kipli Kuryati , Anyi Martin , Awang Asmahani , Sawawi Marini , Mahmood Mohamad Rusop , Hasanah Lilik , Kram Abdul Rahman , Embong Zaidi , Nahrawi Hafsah
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a Single-chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (SMFC) design by utilizing soil as a substrate with two sets of electrode combinations, which are graphite-activated carbon and copper-zinc of different sizes. It was found that graphite and activated carbon produced greater power density compared to copper and zinc. Moreover, it was observed that the graphite-activated carbon cloth electrode with a bigger surface area of 51cm2, resulted in a higher power density of 904mW/m2. To further improve the voltage production of this model, four SMFCs were stacked in series and connected to a DC-DC boost converter to increase the voltage to 1.482 V for the copper-zinc electrode and 1.722 V for the graphite-activated carbon electrode, respectively, which was sufficient to light up an LED light.
Identification of Blood-Based Multi-Omics Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease Using Firth’s Logistic Regression
Authors: Abdullah Mohammad Nasir , Wah Yap Bee , Abdul Majeed Abu Bakar , Zakaria Yuslina , Shaadan Norshahida
Published: April 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and relentless debilitating neurodegenerative disease. A post-mortem microscopic neuropathological examination of the brain revealed the existence of extracellular β-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. An accurate early diagnosis of AD is difficult because various disorders share the initial symptoms of the disease. Based on system biology, the multi-omics approach captures and integrates information from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, cytokinomics, and metabolomics. This study developed an AD prediction model based on the integrated blood-based multi-omics dataset involving 32 AD patients and 15 non-AD subjects. The integrated multi-omics dataset consists of 16 transcript genes, 14 metabolites, and nine cytokines. Due to the complete separation and multicollinearity issues, Firth’s logistic regression model was then developed to predict AD using the principal components. The model revealed 18 potential biomarkers of AD, consisting of seven metabolites, two transcriptomes, and nine cytokines. These potential biomarkers show an upregulated risk in the AD group compared to the non-AD subjects. The possibility of using these biomarkers as early predictors of AD is discussed.
Sago Palm Detection and its Maturity Identification Based on Improved Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Wahed Zulhakim , Joseph Annie , Zen Hushairi , Kipli Kuryati
Published: April 2022

Sago palms are mainly cultivated in Sarawak, especially in the Mukah and Betong division, for consumption and export purposes. The starches produced from the sago are mostly for food products such as noodles, traditional food such as tebaloi, and animal feeds. Nowadays, the sago palm and its maturity detection are done manually, and it is crucial to ensure the productivity of starch. The existing detection methods are very laborious and time-consuming since the plantation areas are vast. The improved CNN model has been developed in this paper to detect the maturity of the sago palm. The detection is done by using drone photos based on the shape of the sago palm canopy. The model is developed by combining the architecture of three existing CNN models, AlexNet, Xception, and ResNet. The proposed model, CraunNet, gives 85.7% accuracy with 11 minutes of learning time based on five-fold-validation. Meanwhile, the training time of the CraunNet is almost two times faster than the existing models, ResNet and Xception. It shows that the computation cost in the CraunNet is much faster than the established model.