bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Development of Solar Desalination Plant: Point-Focus Parabolic Solar Still
Authors: Atnaw S.M. , Ramli R.M. , Rusdah S.A. , Marimuthu T. , Mardarveran P. , Yi S.S. , Usop M.A. , Gapar M.K.M.
Published: August 2021

Direct sunlight has been utilized long back for desalination of water. Solar still is a device that converts saline water to potable water. This project mainly discussed about point-focus parabolic solar still (PPSS). Since lack of water supply has become a serious problem today, this prototype is design to produce fresh water from saline water to enable continuous supply of water. However, the current solar desalination generation capacity is generally low and has high installation cost. Hence, there is a need for the enhancement of the productivity which can be achieved through point focus parabolic solar still. Existing PPSS produces of 3.56 L/m2 fresh water of per day. In this project, we have some modifications which will increase the productivity of PPSS.
Development of Oil Palm Water Balance Tool for Predicting Water Content Distribution in Root Zone
Authors: Safitri L. , . Hermantoro , Purboseno S. , Kautsar V. , Wijayanti Y. , Ardiyanto A.
Published: August 2021

The water content distribution in root zone of oil palm crop is substantial for predicted the crop water usage both for productivity and environmental issues. The varying condition of climate, soil properties, crop stage, ground water existing of oil palm cultivation require the specific water balance analysis model which can evidence the precision condition of water content in root zone. The oil palm water balance tool was developed by inputting the data base including climate, soil properties, crop stage, root density and root zone layer as well. The data was generated through the reference vapotranspiration process by Penman Monteith equation, set parameter of van – genuchten and water flow analysis by Richard equation to bring about the output data in hourly time step which consisted of ETo, soil moisture, cumulative drainage flux, cumulative capillary flux and cumulative water content - rainfall in three root zone. The first, second and third root zone were determined variously depend on the type of soil and the crop stage. The model was built based on the data observation on field research conducted in 3 different condition; the type of soil inceptisol free drainage (without capillary), spodosol with no flux bottom and ultisol with groundwater contribution.
Stream Discharge Response to Climate Change and Land Use Change in Tamor Basin, Nepal
Authors: Sumitra K.C. , Shrestha R.P. , Shrestha S.
Published: August 2021

Climate change and land use change are two major issues that need to be addressed for sustainable land and water resource management. These are major factors influencing discharge in monsoon dominated basin. This study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of climate change and land use change on future discharge of the Tamor basin in Nepal. Result from the study indicated maximum temperature will reach to 40.63°C in 2030s, 40.63°C in 2060s and 45.95°C in 2090s which was 35°C in baseline period (1976-2005). Annual average precipitation was projected to change by 17.64% under RCP 4.5 and by 39.88% under RCP 8.5 till the end of the century as projected by HadGEM2. Since the basin is monsoon dominated, annual discharge was projected to increase by 12.25% under RCP 4.5 and by 32.67% under RCP 8.5 above baseline average till the end of the century. Result using HadGEM2 also shows that peak flows that used to occur in August in baseline period will shift to July except in 2030s under RCP 4.5. However, CSIRO-Mk3.6.0 projects decrease in annual precipitation and hence also discharge at the end of the century. Result from both Global Climate Models show that average monthly discharge due to climate change will change positively as well as negatively for both scenarios. Due to combined impact of land use change and climate change, annual discharge was projected to change by 16.53%, 21.28% and -4.39% under RCP 4.5 and by 38.29%, 45.64% and 13.06% under RCP 8.5 till the end of the century for conversion of forest into agricultural land, conversion of forest into barren land and conversion of barren land into forest respectively. Average annual discharge increased the most in case of conversion of forest into barren land and decreased or increased the least in case of conversion of barren land into forest. Unlike annual, seasonal response to combined impact was different. In monsoon and pre monsoon, discharge increased or decreased the least in case of conversion of forest into agricultural land and barren land while increased the least or decreased in case of conversion of barren land into forest. However, in post monsoon and winter, discharge decreased the least or increased the most in case of conversion of barren land into forest but discharge decreased the most or increased the least in case of conversion of forest into agricultural land and barren land.
Investigation and Monitoring of Groundwater Level: Building Crack Near to IIUM Kuantan
Authors: Ishak M.F. , B.K Koay , Zaini M.S.I. , Zolkepli M.F.
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study is to analyze groundwater level on slope that effect the slope stability. In this research, the instrumentation monitoring equipment were applied to investigate the groundwater due to the rainfalls that effected to slope stability. Groundwater level were related to rainfall intensity and pore water pressure as the simulation of behavior of the groundwater pattern through slope model were produced. The result indicates that the pore water pressure and groundwater level are facilitated to be fluctuated by heavy rainfall. Moreover, the different part of slopes need to be compared and it was found that the bottom part of the slope has high concentration of groundwater and pore water pressure due to the rainfall cumulative effects. The result also indicates that the bottom slope is worse when it is subjected to a high groundwater level. Thus, the rising of groundwater level due to rainfall was the main reason for the slope resulted in unstable condition.
Optimal Placement of FACTs Devices in Iraqi National Super Grid System (INSGS) Using HLSI
Authors: Ibrahim Luay G , AL-Rubayi Rashid H
Published: August 2021

Many of the power cuts in the electricity system in the last decade indicate that there is much work to be done to address the voltage instability and subsequent collapse. This study presents a method to find and select the optimum location of FACTs device using the hybrid line stability index (HLSI) that is appropriate for the prediction voltage collapse in power system networks. Such the HLSI was obtained by deriving expressions basics equivalent Line Stability Index (Lmn), and Fast Voltage Stability Index (FVSI) and mix theirs through a switch logic based on the voltage angle difference Where indicate the nearness voltage collapse. The HLSI has tested in Iraqi National Super Grid System (INSGS) it gives the same results as the other indicators (Lmn & FVSI). For the base state, INSGS was found to be stable with all the three indicators have approximately equal values least than 1 for all lines. The contingency state detects that ranks of bus 24 the weakest bus in the system with the lower maximum allowable reactive load of (490.371 Mvar) and the line critical concerning bus 24, the line connecting bus 20 to bus 24. The values the three indicators, Lmn, FVSI, and HSLI, approximately equal, increasing the accuracy of HLSI.
Preliminary Study on Pelletization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)/Spent Activated Carbon (AC): Effect of Mixing and Adhesive Ratio
Authors: Teo K. Y. , Ghazali S. , Abd Rahim S.
Published: August 2021

Non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels could be combusted for energy and electricity to human kind. The demand of fossil fuel energy had reached an exponential growth which caused disasters and catastrophic damages on the environment; thus, renewable resources should be implemented to protect the environment. One of the natural resources was biomass waste. In this study, spent activated carbon (AC) was co-pelletized with biomass waste, oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB). The effect of EFB, AC and adhesive (tapioca) mixing ratio in the pellet was evaluate through physical and thermal properties. The raw materials were grinded and mixed together at different AC/EFB/tapioca ratio. The mixed raw materials were compressed at 130°C and 7 MPa for 10 minutes. The densified products were characterized by using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). For the thermal characteristics, sample with 0% waste AC, 90% EFB and 10% starch had the highest mass loss rate (570 µg/min) followed by sample with 10% of waste AC, 60% of EFB and 30% of starch which was 420 µg/min. Besides, sample with 0% waste AC, 90% EFB and 10% had the highest burn out temperature (802.6 °C) followed by sample with 30% of waste AC, 60% of EFB and 10% of starch which was 792.85 °C. In conclusion, sample with 0% waste AC, 90% EFB and 10% starch had an easiest ignition and longest combustion period since it had the highest mass loss rate and burn out temperature.
Pre-diagnosis thyroid hormone dysfunction is associated with cancer mortality
Authors: Krashin Eilon , Silverman Barbara , Steinberg David M , Yekutieli Daniel , Giveon Shmuel , Fabian Offer , Hercbergs Aleck , Davis Paul J , Ellis Martin , Ashur-Fabian Osnat
Published: August 2021

Research on the association between thyroid hormone levels and cancer mortality remains limited and inconclusive. We determined the relation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 (FT4), and free T3 (FT3) levels with mortality in overall cancer and specific tumor types. Thyroid hormone levels 1–5 years prior to cancer diagnosis, as well as multiple clinical and demographic parameters, were retrospectively collected for 10,325 Israeli cancer patients, diagnosed between 2000 and 2016. Patients treated with thyroid altering medications were excluded. Cancer diagnosis was determined via the Israel National Cancer Registry. Multivariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) based on thyroid hormone function for cancer mortality. A total of 5265 patients died during the follow-up period (median of 4.4 years). TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels in the hypothyroid range were associated with increase in overall mortality (adjusted HR 1.20, 1.74, 1.87, respectively). We further analyzed the association between TSH and mortality in 14 cancer subgroups. Specifically, TSH in both the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid range was associated with melanoma mortality (adjusted HR 2.20, 4.47, respectively). In conclusion, pre-diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction is associated with increased cancer mortality, a relation likely driven by specific cancer types. These findings suggest that thyroid hormones may potentially serve as prognostic markers in cancer.
Gestão da qualidade e BPM em micro e pequenos estabelecimentos produtores de bebidas alcoólicas na Colômbia
Authors: Espinosa Gutiérrez Nancy Geohana , Hernández Cruz Harold Wilson
Published: August 2021

O setor de produção de bebidas alcoólicas na Colômbia enfrenta um desafio no que diz respeito da melhoria de seus processos, conforme Decreto 1686 de 2012, que estabeleceu a certificação obrigatória em boas práticas de fabricação, com um termo inicial de dois anos para cumprimento. É assim que o prazo estabelecido passou por várias alterações estabelcidas nos Decretos 1506 de 2014, 262 de 2017 e 216 de 2019, por causa dos baixos indicadores de conformidade do setor de produção, principalmente em micro e pequenos estabelecimentos produtores. Há várias dificuldades presentes, entre as que se destacam aquelas de teor técnico e regulamentar, gestão de documentos, saúde pública, aluguel, ilegalidade, acesso ao mercado, econômica ou financeira. Caracterizar o nível de conformidade das micro e pequenas empresas produtoras de bebidas alcoólicas permite identificar as principais lacunas e possibilita a construção de um instrumento técnico. Assim, foi elaborado um guia com uma estrutura de avaliação que aprofunda a verificação dos diferentes requisitos sanitários, acompanhado de componentes de suporte técnico, avaliação e ponderação basedas em uma abordagem de risco. Assim, observou-se como as variáveis relacionadas ao gerenciamento do sistema e ao acompanhamento das ações requerem maior atenção, com base nas porcentagens de não conformidade.
Oportunidades para la formulación de un modelo de negocio sostenible en torno a la minería aurífera informal a pequeña escala
Authors: Restrepo Baena Oscar Jaime , Velilla Danilo
Published: August 2021

Este artículo se enfoca en trabajar bajo la línea de la sostenibilidad en proyectos de minería informal de oro a pequeña escala, específicamente en Colombia. Resulta interesante estudiar en Colombia la Minería Artesanal y a Pequeña Escala (MAPE) desde una perspectiva empresarial como actividad generadora de desarrollo económico y sostenible. La MAPE tiene grandes desafíos a vencer para alcanzar el carácter de sostenibilidad en la industria, entre ellos está el superar la informalidad en el sector, y así poder impulsar el desarrollo de una actividad económica legalmente constituida. Para alcanzar este objetivo, el Gobierno Nacional de Colombia ha implementado una Política y un Plan de Formalización minera a nivel nacional, incentivando la formalidad a partir de proyectos de formalización y regularización minera. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión sobre los aspectos que giran en torno a un Modelo de Negocio Sostenible; se hace uso de la herramienta de modelado de negocios Canvas, cuyo insumo de trabajo son fuentes de información secundaria. para presentar un Modelo de Negocio Sostenible alrededor de la pequeña minería de oro informal con miras a contribuir en el propósito de lograr la formalidad minera en las operaciones del territorio.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Biocompatible Bioactive Borate Glass
Authors: Roy Sanjit , Chatterjee Bhaskarjyaa , Ghosh Shrabani , Sardar Gargi , Mondal Bholanath , S C Sarkar
Published: August 2021

A typical bioactive borate glass of composition 5Na2O-30Ca-65B2O3(NCBO) was prepared by melt quenching method. The NCBO glass powder and solid glass fibers were found to slowly converted to nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (or Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) by soaking in (0.25M)K2HPO4(KDP) solution (with pH = 9.5 and Ca/P ratio ˜1.6 at 37°C) for about one month. We studied biocompatibility (cells adhesion and proliferation) of the NCBO glass by allowing adhesion and proliferation of human cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (CB-hMSCs) directly on the thin glass plate. The cells viability on glass surface was determined by MTT [3-(4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay analysis. The NCBO glass exhibiting excellent biocompatibility might be suitable forinvivo tissue engineering applications.
Perspective of nursing students about active learning and insertion in the job market
Authors: Pinto Adriana Avanzi Marques , Marin Maria José Sanches
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the perception of alumni from a nursing course which uses active learning methods about their insertion in the job market. Methods: descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, carried out through 17 interviews with alumni from 2012 and 2014. The analysis took place using Dialectic Hermeneutics, as subsidized by the theoretical framework of the Theory of Complexity. Results: the statements of the alumni showed aspects related to safety to act in the job market, to stimulating proactivity and initiative for learning as proposed by the active method, to difficulties in teamwork, and to the lack of experience in certain specialized fields. Final Considerations: there are advances and challenges marked by contradictions in the way the alumni act and think as they enter the job market, which is an inherent condition to processes of change, from the perspective of complex thinking.
We Accept Our Responsibility for Professional Leadership
Authors: Keniston Hayward
Published: August 2021

Our meeting this morning is a memorable one, not because it is the first time that the Association has assembled on a Sunday morning, but because we are gathered here today to reassert the responsibility of this society of teachers and scholars for leadership in the intellectual life of our country and to accept that responsibility.
Lytton Strachey's “Point of View”
Authors: Sanders Charles Richard
Published: August 2021

What did Lytton Strachey mean when he insisted in the Preface to Eminent Victorians and elsewhere that the biographer should have a clear and definite point of view? When we have answered this question, we are certain to encounter another: Was Strachey right? Should biography be written from a fixed point of view? Is there a danger that the biographer with a rigid point of view will treat his subject as a victim forced to lie upon the bed of Procrustes?
Churchill's Tragic Materialism; or, Imagining a Posthuman Tragedy
Authors: Diamond Elin
Published: August 2021

It would seem impossible to wrench dramatic tragedy away from humanism. In their encounters with fate, capricious gods, or a corrupt polis, tragedy's protagonists confront the injustice and futility of existence, and in their suffering and defeat they affirm the “indomitability of the human spirit,” the preeminent value of human life. Certainly this is George Steiner's view inThe Death of Tragedy(1961), although his conservative hierarchies (no gods, no tragedy) have been refuted by critics who argue that there is profound tragedy in ordinary life (Williams; Eagleton; Poole) and that tragedy “continually adapts itself to the conditions of experience” (States 199). However, even Steiner's debunkers embrace his notion of tragedy as extremity, as an encounter with extrahuman forces and suffering far exceeding human guilt. So, I argue here, does the British playwright Caryl Churchill, who in 1994 produced a diptych of contemporary tragedy:The Skriker, first mounted in January 1994, and her translation of Seneca'sThyestes, staged just four months later. Taken together these plays absorb the “conditions of experience” of the mid-1990s in the West. Along with the horrors of the Bosnian War and continuing environmental and economic crises, such conditions might well include the widely touted mapping of the human genome, begun in 1990 and concluded in 2003, and, concurrently, a popular and scholarly fascination with affects, intensities, and “the lively immanence of matter” (Coole and Frost 9). What happens to the humanist foundations of tragedy when understandings of the human are subjected to these “new materialisms”? Churchill'sThe Skriker, along with her translation ofThyestes, invites us to imagine a seeming oxymoron, a posthuman tragedy.
The “Basic” Use of Microfilm
Authors: Nicoll Allardyce
Published: August 2021

During the past twenty or thirty years there has occurred in the world of scholarship a revolution, the full significance of which has perhaps not been adequately appreciated. We all know about microfilms and microprint; many of us have made use of these for special purposes; but only a few among us have had the opportunity of considering how the development of photographic processes has already transformed our work and how it is creating entirely new conditions for future scholarly research.
El fraude académico: Un análisis de estudio cualitativo del alumnado en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia
Authors: Campo-Acosta Germain
Published: August 2021

Objetivo: Develar los significados que emergieron de los estudiantes sobre  la práctica del fraude académico, como acto presente durante la formación académica.  Método: Este estudio se abordó mediante el paradigma cualitativo con enfoque hermenéutico y utilizando como metodología la Teoría Fundada, dentro del marco conceptual del interaccionismo simbólico. Como herramienta de recolección de datos se utilizó una entrevista semiestructurada a profundidad que permitió el análisis de las visiones, creencias, valores e ideologías que se produjeron entre los entrevistados.  Resultados: El estudio mostró que, para los estudiantes, el fraude es considerado como una acción válida y consentida dentro del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje, donde el imperativo categórico es subordinado a la vía fácil, práctica o necesaria para conseguir los objetivos académicos. Discusión y Conclusiones: Los significados que se tejen en los estudiantes del grupo de estudio alrededor del fraude, nos muestran que se ha elaborado un constructo conceptual donde el fraude es una opción válida, cimentada sobre unos valores basados en las necesidades individuales que dejan de lado los códigos deontológicos y de esta manera se convive con él sin mayores reflexiones.
The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility in Explaining Authenticity and Life Satisfaction with Alexithymia
Authors: KARAKUŞ Sena , AKBAY Sinem Evin
Published: August 2021

Within the scope of this study, the relationships among alexithymia, psychological flexibility, authenticity and life satisfaction of individuals were investigated. In addition, the possible meditating role of psychological flexibility on the relationships among alexithymia, authenticity and life satisfaction were investigated. The research model is the relational screening model, which is one of the descriptive models that aims to examine the mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationships among individuals' alexithymia, authenticity and life satisfaction. As the data collection tools, "Personal Information Form", "Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)", "Authenticity Scale", "Psychological Flexibility Scale" and "Life Satisfaction Scale" were used. The sampling group of the study was composed of 702 adult individuals between the ages of 18 and 67Whilst analysing the data, SPSS 22 Package Program was used to highlight the relationships between variables (Pearson correlation coefficient) and mediation test. In the study, Bootstrap analysis and Sobel test were used to measure the statistical significance of the mediating effects of the model. According to the research findings, while there was a significant negative relationship between alexithymia and psychological flexibility variables and authenticity and life satisfaction variables, a positive significant relationship was found among psychological flexibility, authenticity and life satisfaction. According to the mediation test, psychological flexibility had a partial mediating role in the relationships among alexithymia, life satisfaction and authenticity. Alexithymia explained 52% of authenticity and 21% of life satisfaction through psychological flexibility. The present article discusses the abovementioned research results within the framework of the relevant literature, and suggestions are made accordingly.
Fringe or Not Fringe? Strategies for Localizing Supported Accommodation in a Post‐Deinstitutional Era
Authors: Fjellfeldt Maria , Högström Ebba , Berglund-Snodgrass Lina , Markström Urban
Published: August 2021

Finding suitable locations for supported accommodations is crucial both for the wellbeing of individuals with psychiatric disabilities (PD) and to achieve the objectives of the mental health care reform in order to create opportunities for social inclusion. This article explores municipal strategies for localizing supported accommodations for people with PD. In a multiple case study, interviews with 20 municipal civil servants from social services and urban planning were conducted. Three strategies were identified and further analyzed with a public location theory approach: (1) re‐use, i.e., using existing facilities for a new purpose, (2) fill‐in, i.e., infilling new purpose‐built facilities in existing neighborhoods, and (3) insert, i.e., inserting new premises or facilities as part of a new development. The article shows that the “re‐use” strategy was employed primarily for pragmatic reasons, but also because re‐using former care facilities was found to cause less conflicts, as residents were supposedly used to neighbors with special needs. When the “fill‐in” and “insert” strategies were employed, new accommodations were more often located on the outskirts of neighborhoods. This was a way to balance potential conflicts between residents in ordinary housing and residents in supported accommodations, but also to meet alleged viewpoints of service users’ need for a quiet and secluded accommodation. Furthermore, ideas associated with social services’ view of social inclusion and urban planning’s notion of “tricky” tenants significantly influenced localization strategies. Finally, this article is also a call for more empirical research on the decision‐making processes, use of strategies (intended or not) and spatial outcomes, when localizing supported accommodation for people with PD and other groups in need of support and service.
The relation of seismic disturbances in the Philippines to the geologic structure
Authors: Saderra Maso Miguel , Smith Warren D.
Published: August 2021

Summary and Conclusions
Determination of prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and haematuria in 5-15 year aged school children in southern India
Authors: Vadamalai Rameshkumar
Published: August 2021

Background: Chronic renal diseases remain major cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. Although idiopathic nephrotic syndrome takes on chronic course other histopathological variants can lead to rapid progression of disease. Proteinuria in children can be physiological. Hematuria in children is always should be investigated. Persistent proteinuria in children should be investigated for any significant progressive renal disease after excluding orthostatic proteinuria. Although many countries adopt high risk screening in pediatric age group many eastern countries advocate school screening for asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria using dipstick urine screening.Methods: A 6 month cross sectional study of asymptomatic children aged 5-15 years in metropolitan school for dipstick urine analysis for proteinuria and hematuria.Results: The ratio of male and female children in the study is 1.2:1 (total-1999, male-1056, and female-934). Age group ranged from 5 to 15 with mean 12.13 and standard deviation (SD)-2.46. Maximum number of students in the study are above 10 years of age. Children with isolated asymptomatic proteinuria have significant differences due to their sex (p value-0.005) and hematuria (p value-0.007). Prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria is 9.8% and hematuria is 1.05%. Prevalence of persistent proteinuria is 1.35%.Conclusions: Prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria can be determined using dipstick urine analysis in school children. Mass screening is cost effective and feasible only if persistent cases of proteinuria are followed up, ruling out orthostatic proteinuria. Although study is feasible, it is cumbersome. High risk screening is the best cost effective method.
A case-control study on thyroid surgery in geriatric patients
Authors: Gama Rita , Teixeira Mónica , Oliveira Pedro , Castro Fernanda , Condé Artur
Published: August 2021

Background: With the progressive aging of the population, thyroid pathology with surgical indication occurs at increasingly advanced ages. The authors aim was to analyze the forms of presentation of thyroid disease and rate of complications of thyroid surgery performed in geriatric patients and to compare it to the same parameters in younger patients.

Methods: This was a 7 year retrospective case-control study, with patients who underwent thyroid surgery. The study group included patients above 65 years old and a control group under 65 years old, who underwent thyroidectomy.

Results: A total of 81 patients were included. The mean volume of thyroid nodules at presentation was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group, regarding the disease presentation, it was an accidental imaging finding in 59% of patients of the study group, while in the control group there were more compressive symptoms at presentation. The rate of postoperative complications in geriatric patients was 29% versus 20% in the control group, a difference that was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Given the high number of comorbidities presented by geriatric patients, the symptoms of thyroid disease can be undervalued, explaining the greater number of accidental imaging findings and the greater volume of nodules at the time of surgery. Our results show that geriatric thyroid surgery is safe and has acceptable postoperative morbidity. The detection of thyroid pathology in these patients is a greater challenge, which can obscure symptoms, delay diagnosis and worsen prognosis.
Relation between score for allergic rhinitis and immunoglobulin-E levels in the local population
Authors: Thejas Saai Ram , Vijay Bharath Reddy C. R.
Published: August 2021

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most prevalent atopic disease in the world. It involves clinical hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa to foreign substances mediated through immunoglobulin E antibodies. The quantitative Score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) ranging between 0 and 16 has been in use from 2002.

Methods: 240 patients diagnosed with Persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) were taken to be part of the study after proper consent irrespective of the severity of symptoms. Each patient filled out the SFAR form before the treatment commenced. Serum IgE levels were noted and treatment was started which included oral and topical antihistamines, oral leukotriene receptor antagonists along with intranasal steroids. The IgE values were assessed along with the SFAR values side by side to look for any association.  

Results: It was noted that the individuals with identified triggers of allergy and those with a positive family history of allergy had a considerable higher IgE value as compared to those who did not. The ones with a trigger identified as a cause had a 54.88% higher IgE value. The ones with positive family history had 47.12% higher IgE than the ones without a history of allergy.

Conclusions: Patients with well-defined trigger agents of allergy and positive family history of allergy are at a higher risk as they have a higher IgE value. They should be advised regular follow-ups and be monitored closely.
A retrospective study on middle ear risk indices in analysing the post-operative outcome following tympanoplasty
Authors: P. Risvana P. , K. Mubeena
Published: August 2021

Background: Chronic otitis media is a highly prevalent disease of middle ear. As tympanoplasty plays an important role in management of otitis media it is important to predict the outcome of surgery and give proper counselling to the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Middle ear risk index (MERI) in determining postoperative graft uptake and postoperative air bone gap closure following tympanoplasty.

Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted to find the correlation between MERI and the result of tympanoplasty outcome and post-operative hearing gain. Ninety-six subjects who underwent tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media were included in the study. MERI score was calculated and was compared with postoperative graft uptake and audiogram.  

Results: In this study there was no statistical difference in graft uptake between the MERI categories. There was statistically significant decrease in postoperative air bone gap closure in both mild and moderate categories. Other prognostic factors associated with a favourable outcome were healthy middle ear mucosa and absence of smoking.

Conclusions: MERI did not have a direct impact on the outcome of surgery in terms of graft uptake and hearing results. However certain factors like Belluci’s criteria and smoking had an impact on the outcome. Hence MERI can be used for pre-operative counselling of the patients.
Covid associated orbital apex syndrome: Madras ENT Research Foundation experience
Authors: Anandappa Manjunatha H. , Mathews Sunil , Natarajan Kiran , S. Raghunandhan , Kameswaran Mohan
Published: August 2021

The second wave of corona virus pandemic is currently raging through India since last few weeks. Since last year, COVID-19 has brought in a multitude of challenging manifestations in the ENT regions. One such rare and complex entity is OAS (orbital apex syndrome). This case series highlighted our experience in 2020 with managing two such cases of OAS associated with COVID-19 infection. Their clinical and radiological presentation was discussed and their management protocol was explained with references from relevant literature. Although elderly patients with co-morbidities were considered to have highest risk for COVID-19 associated neurologic and ophthalmic complications earlier, now it was found to affect younger healthy individuals as noted in our cases. Knowledge about such virulent complications of COVID-19 is essential for otolaryngologists, to manage this life-threatening entity in a timely manner.
Autogenous mucochondral-osteal nasoseptal graft for reconstruction of orbital floor: a preliminary study
Authors: Rudagi B. M. , Jain Rishabh , Naikwade Shahbaaz , Bhavar Gaurav
Published: August 2021

Resection of malignant sinonasal/skull base tumors that erode the orbital floor often result in large defects. We describe a technique for orbital floor reconstruction using a structural pedicled mucochondral-osteal nasoseptal flap (PMCONSF) that includes both soft tissue and bony-cartilaginous components with a continuous pedicled vascular supply. Case presentation was 11 patients having tumors associated with midface requiring maxillectomy and removal of inferior wall of orbit were included. Reconstruction of floor of orbit was done using PMCONSF. Post-operative outcomes of the techniques were studied. In all 11 cases reconstruction of floor of orbit was done using pedicled nasoseptal cartilage and in none of the cases communication of the orbital content with maxillary sinus was encountered. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed no significant diplopia, no entrapment of ocular structures with good ocular motility. Adequate reconstruction of the orbital floor is crucial to maintaining long-term ocular function. The PMCONSF offers great flexibility in flap design as well as a high rate of success. The bony-cartilaginous component offers a rigid structural part to the orbital floor, eliminating the functional defects that can occur from anatomical changes. The pedicled vascular supply helps assist in graft integration, limiting the potential for graft rejection or necrosis following postoperative radiotherapy. We believe that this graft offers a viable alternative to existing methods for orbital reconstruction in patients with large orbital floor defects, especially for cases in which adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy is anticipated.
Pleomorphic liposarcoma arising on the cheek: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Suzuki Takahiro , Murakami Kazuhiro , Noguchi Naoya , Shoji Fumi , Fukaya Sachiko , Tateda Yutaka , Yamazaki Muneharu , Nakazumi Miho , Sato Teruyuki , Ohta Nobuo
Published: August 2021

Pleomorphic liposarcoma, which is the rarest of the four liposarcoma types according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft tissue tumors, is associated with a high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis. In the present report, we present the case of a 69-year-old male patient with pleomorphic liposarcoma arising in the right cheek. The mass was initially considered as benign such as schwannoma due to the absence of facial nerve palsy. However, the mass grew rapidly, requiring surgical removal with facial nerve preservation. Pathological and molecular examination led to the definitive diagnosis of pleomorphic liposarcoma. The postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was added, and there were no signs of recurrence at four-year follow-up.
An unusual long standing metallic foreign body in nasopharynx in an adult
Authors: K. Freni J. , Jo Jibu K. , Sankar Prasanth
Published: August 2021

This case report was to highlight the occurrence of a long standing unusual foreign body in the nasopharynx in an adult. Foreign bodies are common in ENT practice universally. At times they may present as emergency requiring urgent intervention and many a times they go unnoticed as these are not suspected. Nasopharyngeal foreign bodies are rare in any age group. A 70 year old man presented to neurology department with complaints of headache of 1 month duration. CT brain angiography showed atherosclerotic wall calcifications in bilateral cavernous segment of ICA and there was an incidental detection of a metallic foreign body in the posterior wall of oropharynx. History revealed accidental ingestion of a ring into mouth at 1 year of age. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) was done, FB (foreign  body) ring was seen at the level of left torus tubarius in nasopharynx and same removed in to intraorally. Care should be taken while removing these FBs. Digital manipulation for removal of such FBs are hazardous and should be avoided at all cost.
Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve-an anatomical deviation
Authors: Sivakumar E. , Swapna C. A. , Karanam Lavanya
Published: August 2021

Thyroidectomy is one of the most dispute and discussed surgery. Identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most important step in this surgery. Among postop complications of thyroidectomy, the commoner is haematoma, transient hypocalcaemia and hoarseness. We report a rare case of nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve in a 25-year-old male with swelling in the right thyroid lobe. A 25-year-old male presented to the ENT OPD with complaints of swelling in thyroid region for 6 months with no other symptoms. On examination there was a 2×3 cm size nodule in the right lobe of thyroid. Rest of ORL examination was normal. On ultrasonogram there was an enlarged right lobe of thyroid with a nodular goitre. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed colloid goitre. Patient was planned for right hemithyroidectomy. Right side type 1 nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was identified at the level of superior pole of thyroid branching from vagus and entering the larynx at the level of cricothyroid joint was identified intraoperatively. In conclusion, nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve though a very rare anomaly forms a crucial anatomical structure in thyroid surgery and is prone to injury. It is one of the preventable complications during thyroid surgery leading to postop vocal cord palsy. An in-depth anatomical knowledge and diligent surgical technique will help in identification and preservation of nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve.
Noticias del BID: Vol. 3, no. 2, marzo 1976
Authors:   Inter-American Development Bank
Published: August 2021

Noticias del BID, publicación mensual que tiene por objetivo informar acerca de las actividades del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo.
Features of the legal consolidation of the concept of "insignificant act" in the criminal legislation of Mongolia
Authors: Lozovskaya Tatyana
Published: August 2021

The article examines the features of the legal regulation of the concept of "insignificant act" in accordance with the criminal legislation of Mongolia. According to the author, it is necessary to supplement the current Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with a provision that takes into account the danger of an individual when qualifying an act as insignificant to fill the identified gap in law.
Risk Factors of Extubation Failure in Intubated Preterm Infants at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman
Authors: Al Mandhari Hilal KT , Al Riyami Buthina , Khan Ashfaq , Nonoyama Mika , Rizvi Syed GA
Published: August 2021

Objectives: To determine extubation failure (EF) rate among intubated preterm infants (<37 weeks gestational age [GA]) admitted to a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Oman and identify the risk factors associated with EF. Methods: Charts of all intubated preterm infants (<37 weeks GA) from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. EF was defined as reintubation within 7 days of planned extubation. Demographics, ventilation parameters, blood gas values and other possible risk factors of EF were collected. Statistical analysis included comparisons between EF and extubation success (ES) groups, and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 190 preterm infants were intubated during the study period, with 140 eligible for analysis. N=106 were successfully extubated; 34 (24.3%) failed extubation. GA <28 weeks (p=0.029), lower 1-minute APGAR score (p=0.023) and patent ductus arteriosus diagnosis (PDA) (p=0.018) were significantly associated with EF. After the multivariate analysis, only GA <28 weeks predicted EF with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.62 (1.17 – 6.15). Conclusions: EF rate in preterm infants admitted at our NICU in Oman, was within international rates. GA <28 weeks was the only predictor of extubation failure identified. Neonatal practitioners need to seriously consider extreme prematurity in extubation process and consider implementing strategies to decrease extubation failure in this group of fragile infants.

Keywords: Premature Infants; Neonate; Airway Extubation; Extubation Failure, Risk Factors.
Study of drugs potential of fern collections at Purwodadi Botanic Gardens
Authors: Renjana Elga , Nikmatullah Muhamad
Published: August 2021

Ferns (Pteridophyta) is the oldest group of plants on earth that has more than 11.000 species. Ethnobotany and pharmacological studies have revealed that ferns contain potentially secondary metabolites as medicine. Purwodadi Botanic Gardens (Purwodadi BG) has fern collections that have not revealed information about drug potential. This research was conducted to inventory Purwodadi BG’s fern collections which have potential as medicine and to determine their conservation status. Inventory of fern collections is carried out by collecting data from the Registration Unit and observing directly in the field, while information about drug potential is obtained by literature review. A total of 31 species of 171 specimens of Purwodadi BG’s fern collections are known to be efficacious for treating various diseases, both traditional medicine, and research results. As many as 6 species of fern collections that have medicinal potential are included in IUCN Red List and categorized as least concern/LC and critically endangered/CR. The potential for medicinal plants of fern collections include anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. This potential information is expected to increase the value of the fern’s function and their conservation efforts.
Caracterização e fatores associados ao uso indiscriminado de medicamentos isentos de prescrição no Brasil
Authors: Da Silva Lima Viviane , Gomes de Lima Maria do Socorro , Cavalcante da Silva Gabriela
Published: August 2021

A utilização de Medicamentos Isentos de Prescrição é uma prática que gera preocupação. Relatos evidenciam que o uso indiscriminado de alguns analgésicos, anti-inflamatórios e antipiréticos, podem contribuir para um aumento no número de internações. Porém as ocorrências de interações medicamentosas aumentam a partir do uso irracional e concomitante pelos pacientes. A pesquisa trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, realizada através de levantamento com base em artigos científicos publicados dentro de um arco de 20 anos, indexados nas seguintes bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrievel System Online, National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, utilizando os seguintes descritores: automedicação, interação medicamentosa, uso indiscriminado, medicamentos isentos de prescrição. Observou-se nos estudos revisados, maior frequência de automedicação entre os jovens e mulheres, os idosos apresentaram maior prevalência em interações medicamentosa, devido ao uso concomitante. Por sua vez, das classes farmacológicas mais utilizadas na automedicação, os analgésicos foram a principal escolha, seguidos dos anti-inflamatórios e antitérmicos. Conclui que a automedicação é prática corrente no Brasil e envolve, principalmente, o uso de medicamentos isentos de prescrição, o fácil acesso favorece o seu uso irracional, fatores econômicos, políticos e culturais têm contribuído para o crescimento e a difusão desta prática no Brasil, tornando-a um problema de saúde pública.
O uso de contraceptivos de emergência em estudantes de uma instituição de ensino superior de Belém, Pará.
Authors: Farias da Costa Rodrigo Junior , Duarte Fabyane Moreira , Reis da Silva Cristianne de Nazaré , Santos Bruno de Oliveira , Coelho de Oliveira Rafael Aleixo , Pereira de Sena Luann Wendel
Published: August 2021

O contraceptivo de emergência é uma substância hormonal, que ainda nos dias atuais encontram-se resistências de natureza religiosa, cultural e social em diferentes regiões do mundo. Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a forma do uso de contraceptivos de emergência em estudantes de uma instituição de ensino superior de Belém, no estado do Pará, no ano de 2018. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico e transversal teve como universo da pesquisa todas as universitárias de uma instituição de ensino superior no período noturno maiores de 18 anos. Para a confecção dos resultados os dados foram implementados no software TabWin 36b e Excel 2013. As análises de significância estatística foram realizadas com o teste de qui-quadrado: proporções esperadas iguais através do software Bioestat 5.0. O perfil epidemiológico das universitárias que fizeram utilização do contraceptivo de emergência foi de predominância da faixa etária de adultos jovens (90,45%), etnia parda (51,82%), solteira (65,00%), católica (52,73%), que estudam e trabalham (70,45%) e que são alunas do curso de farmácia (57,73%). A análise também mostrou que a maioria das universitárias possui vida sexual ativa. Este estudo proporcionou uma melhor compreensão do perfil epidemiológico das usuárias desse método de contracepção. Além de colaborar para a gestão do cuidado a partir do subsídio ao planejamento e tomada de decisões relacionadas ao processo saúde-doença.
Tecnologias na Atenção Primária: experiência com o portal Saúde Já! Santa Luzia
Authors: Pimentel Ana Margareth Steinmüller , Vilar Bianca Cavalcante , Neto João Paulo da Silva , Silva Kaline Pereira da , Silva Pedro Henrique Pires Soares da , Sousa Milena Nunes Alves de
Published: August 2021

A Atenção Primária à Saúde é a porta de entrada da comunidade para os serviços básicos de promoção, prevenção e assistência em saúde física e psicossocial. Visa oferecer cuidados de modo integral, participativo e dinâmico, de acordo com contexto do território e comunidade abrangida pela Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS). Em decorrência da instauração da pandemia provocada pela COVID-19, fez-se necessário o isolamento social e a interrupção de trabalhos coletivos comumente oferecidos pela UBS III do Bairro São José no Município de Santa Luzia. Desse modo, o presente artigo, do tipo relato de experiência, objetivou documentar a experiência da equipe multiprofissional de residência com o projeto Saúde Já! Santa Luzia. Trata-se de uma alternativa desenvolvida a partir das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC’s) para manutenção de vínculo, educação em saúde, marcação de consulta, dentre outras alternativas de comunicação entre a comunidade e equipe profissional da UBS citada. A partir dos trabalhos com Instagram e Website, foi possível perceber as interações com a comunidade ocorrendo, mesmo à distância, o vínculo no período de quarentena. Apesar da necessidade de melhoria em pontos como design visual, marketing e gerenciamento profissional do portal, consideramos positiva a experiência com as TIC’s, uma ferramenta promissora durante e após o período pandêmico.