bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Family of LML Detectors and the Family of LAS Detectors for Massive MIMO Communications
Authors: Sun Yi
Published: January 2025

The family of local maximum likelihood (LML) detectors, including the global maximum likelihood (GML) detector, and the family of likelihood ascent search (LAS) detectors are akin to each other and possess common properties significant in both theory and practical multi-input multi-output (MIMO) communications. It is proved that a large MIMO channel possesses the LML characteristic, implying and predicting that a local search detector with likelihood ascent, like a wide-sense sequential LAS (WSLAS) detector, can approach the GML detection. By the replica method, the bit error rate (BER) of an LML detector in the large MIMO channel is obtained. The BER indicates that, in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, both the LML and GML detectors achieve the AWGN channel performance when the channel load is as high as up to 1.5086 bits/dimension with an equal-energy distribution, and the channel load can be higher with an unequal-energy distribution. The analytical result is verified by simulation in the equal-energy distribution, showing that the sequential LAS (SLAS) detector, a linear-complexity LML detector, can approach the BER of the NP-hard GML detector. The LML and LAS detectors in the two families are successfully applied to symbol detection in massive antenna MIMO communications and demonstrate the performance near the GML detection. This book chapter reviews the LML and LAS detectors in a unified framework. The focus is on their formulation, relationships, properties, and GML performance in BER and spectral efficiency in large MIMO channels.
Application of the Low Frequency and Low-Intensity Electrostatic Field in Rehabilitation Programs for Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Mratskova Galina
Published: January 2025

A low-frequency and low-intensity pulsed electrostatic field is applied as a treatment method in Rehabilitation Medicine. The technique is known as Deep Oscillation® therapy. At present, it has been established that the therapeutic effects of the electrostatic field on the tissues depend on the field frequency (5–250 Hz). The advantage of the method is the operation with a low amperage of 5–7 μA and a bipolar form of the wave. Deep Oscillation® was originally created to improve tissue lymphatic drainage. Subsequently, it was found that it reduces acute and chronic pain, improves blood and lymph circulation in the region of application, and reduces edema and fibrosis. In addition to this, tissue elasticity, joint mobility, and the condition of muscle and nerve tissue are improved. The aim of this research project is to investigate the therapeutic impact of a low-frequency and low-intensity pulsed electrostatic field in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
Energy Efficiency in Industrial Refrigeration Systems
Authors: Carlos Acunha Jr. Ivoni
Published: January 2025

Energy efficiency in industrial refrigeration systems should be an object of study, especially large ones used for producing and storing food and beverage products. This is because this system requires large electricity consumption and, consequently, carries out environmental impacts. Some strategies and technologies can be used to increase the coefficient of performance (COP) of refrigeration units, such as intelligent operation through variable speed drives (VSDs) in pumps and fans, floating head pressure work, optimization of ice and chilled water production, intelligent controls in condensers and compressors, use of mathematical modeling and computer simulations, among others. Therefore, this work aims to highlight the impact of strategy and technology employment on energy efficiency improvements at industrial refrigeration systems by bringing studies of cases about refrigeration units used in food refrigeration of dairy, pork, and poultry products.
High Definition Liposculpting
Authors: Tolomeo Pasquale G. , Bedi Manik S.
Published: January 2025

High-definition liposculpting is an advanced body contouring technique designed to create a sculpted, athletic physique by selectively targeting fat layers and accentuating muscle definition. The advent of technologies like VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) and Renuvion (a helium plasma and radiofrequency device) has revolutionized this procedure, allowing for precise sculpting and improved definition of the body’s contours. Ideal candidates are those seeking a more defined and athletic appearance with an emphasis on muscle visibility and skin tightening. The results yield a more esthetically pleasing silhouette. For optimal outcomes, patients must adhere to proper garment protocols and post-surgical lymphatic massages. Recovery is comparable to traditional liposuction but with the benefit of more dramatic, long-lasting results.
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics Have a Positive Impact on Both Health and the Production of Food
Authors: A. Ayad Amira , Gad El-Rab Deiaa , L. Williams Leonard
Published: January 2025

The Lactobacillus group, which includes many species and strains, presents an astoundingly vast spectrum of diversity, which has grabbed the attention of scientists who continue to investigate and assess its enormous potential in a variety of biotechnology fields. The goal of this extensive inquiry is to explore deeper into Lactobacillus’ numerous applications, particularly in food manufacture, food safety, and the development of supplements targeted at optimizing general well-being. By doing a more thorough investigation of these factors, we may gain a better grasp of the tremendous benefits and bright future that lie ahead for the use of Lactobacillus in the vast field of biotechnology.
Revolutionizing Energy Applications: The Power of Interconnected Pores in Hierarchically Porous Carbon
Authors: Pal Ananya , Roy Atanu
Published: January 2025

Electrode materials are crucial in electrochemical energy storage devices, prompting extensive research into optimizing high-performance options. Hierarchically porous carbons (HPCs), featuring 1D to 3D networks, are of great interest due to their excellent electrical conductivity, high surface area, unique physicochemical properties, and superior chemical stability. These properties make micro-/nanostructured porous carbon a promising candidate for energy storage technology. This chapter summarizes the design and synthesis of HPC materials using hard-templating, soft-templating, and nontemplating routes, with a focus on nontemplating strategies for biopolymers. It discusses recent use of HPCs and their composites in various electrochemical energy storage applications, such as supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, post-lithium-ion batteries, and hybrid energy storage devices. Moreover, the chapter offers insights into future challenges and research opportunities in HPC materials.
Microbiota Involvement in Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Bucurica Sandica
Published: January 2025

The microbiota plays a significant role in the development, progression, and severity of both acute and chronic pancreatitis through mechanisms involving immune modulation, microbial translocation, and gut permeability. The intricate relationship between gut microbiota and pancreatitis reveals distinct mechanisms through which acute and chronic forms of the disease manifest. In acute pancreatitis, microbial dysbiosis leads to significant alterations in gut flora, characterized by reduced diversity and an overrepresentation of pathogenic bacteria. This dysbiosis is associated with compromised gut barrier integrity and increased bacterial translocation, resulting in heightened systemic inflammation mediated by lipopolysaccharides and Toll-like receptor activation. In contrast, chronic pancreatitis is marked by persistent microbial imbalances driven by ongoing inflammation and malnutrition, further exacerbating the disease state. The interactions between gut microbiota and pancreatic function demonstrate a bidirectional relationship, where dysbiosis contributes to pancreatic injury and is also a consequence of impaired exocrine function. Overall, advancing our knowledge of the gut-pancreas axis will enhance our understanding of disease pathology and inform more effective treatment strategies for individuals affected by pancreatic disorders.
Contribution of Local Food Systems to Healthy Eating Habits in Japan
Authors: Machida Daisuke
Published: January 2025

Throughout history, humans have depended on local food sources for sustenance. However, since the Industrial Revolution, the distance between production and consumption has grown, leading to extended food supply chains. Despite this shift, local food systems continue to play a crucial role, particularly in Japan, where they have been shown to support healthy eating habits. In this study, we conducted a narrative review primarily focused on our previous research. Practices such as home gardening, sharing produce with neighbors, and utilizing farmers’ markets are associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption, potentially improving overall health. Farmers’ markets, especially in rural areas, also enhance access to fresh produce where shopping options may be limited. Furthermore, local food systems offer environmental benefits, fostering greater environmental awareness through agricultural practices. Looking ahead, it is essential to further explore how local food systems contribute to both human and planetary health.
Perspective Chapter: Lymphatic Therapy and Post-Operative Care – The Science of a Seamless Recovery
Authors: Fenwick Brandy
Published: January 2025

Exploring the history of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and its importance. Complete decongestive therapy (CLT), which utilizes both MLD and skilled wrapping techniques or garment compression for patients living with lymphedema and lipedema, or basic MLD for autoimmune disorders or general selfcare has been historically utilized. Interestingly, the beauty of the lymphatic system and its function has come to the forefront of more recent conversation as it relates to pre/post-operative care. This profound technique has evolved through the hands-on experience and science-based findings of post-operative specialists internationally. This revolutionary concept of lymphatic work or “therapy” (MLD technique) as a foundational tool of complete post-operative care has truly optimized patient outcomes. These specialists, armed with staged treatment techniques, play a vital role in ensuring ideal results for patients who have experienced body altering procedures. Facilitating esthetically pleasing results based on each patient’s unique procedure and needs is the primary goal. Despite meticulous surgical planning and care, post-operative complications can still arise. There are multiple facets to the recovery process. Therefore, having the right post-operative care facilitated by surgeons, surgical staff, and post-operative specialists is essential.
Advancements in Omeprazole Formulations: From Technological Innovation to Release Strategies
Authors: Papoutsi Ioanna , Siamidi Angeliki , Lagopati Nefeli , Gazouli Maria , Vlachou Marilena , Pippa Natassa
Published: January 2025

This chapter reviews data on 72 omeprazole (OME) formulations developed in the past 5 years. The types of OME formulations, the excipients and the methods are analyzed in depth. Data on 72 omeprazole (OME) formulations created over the last 5 years are reviewed in this chapter. A thorough analysis of the many kinds of OME formulations, excipients and techniques is conducted. The release of OME from various formulations, the variables influencing this release, and how it affects the efficacy of the medication are also covered in this chapter. The review seeks to identify significant distinctions and parallels between these formulations and their constituent parts by contrasting the data gathered.
Geotribometamorphism in the Paleoseismic Zones of the Earth’s Crust
Authors: Kozhoukharova Evgenia
Published: January 2025

Geotribometamorphism represents the transformation of rocks in the seismic zones of the Earth’s crust, which takes place under the influence of friction. It differs in spread, place in geological structures, time, and thermodynamic parameters from regional and dynamic metamorphisms. Geotribometamorphism gives a new face to earthquake events by pointing out not only the destructive but also the creative activity of seismic energy. The chapter offers a brief overview of geotribological zones of different scale, also adding pressure zones. Deformation and recrystallization processes are considered. In addition to the well-known pseudotachylites, high-thermobaric eclogites, garnet lherzolites, and others belong to the formations of the seismic zones. Geotribometamorphism provides a new solution to some hotly debated problems in metamorphic petrology such as the location and genesis of eclogites, thus indicating the energy connection between geophysical and petro-mineralogical processes. The geotribometamorphic rocks established in the metamorphic complex of the Rhodope massif mark paleoseismic zones.
Atomic-Clock Detection of CNO-Based Dark Matter
Authors: D. Morley Peter , J. Buettner Douglas
Published: January 2025

Laboratory detection of Dark Matter is an active area of research. Instead of detecting the Dark Matter particles directly in underground experiments, an alternative line of research is to detect a Dark Matter macroscopic effect from their clustering. Previous research has shown that the condensation of cosmological neutrinos into condensed neutrino objects (CNO) is a viable Dark Matter candidate [1]. The CNO would be the largest objects in the Universe (with radii millions of light years in size and characteristic masses ∼1015M⊙) [2]. The CNO would have entire galaxy clusters embedded within them. Weak lensing data supports the existence of CNO with galaxy clusters inside [3]. One of these predictions is that the Local Group of Galaxies is embedded in a CNO [4]. We show in this paper that this Local Group CNO may be observationally detected with a measurable gravitational time delay between two synchronized spacecraft atomic clocks that are in an opposition solar orbit of one astronomical unit (au).
Trust and Risk Management: Understanding the Multifaceted Role of Trust in Managing Local Water Crises and Conflicts
Authors: Pascaline Gaborit
Published: January 2025

Local and more national collective efforts to implement water management policies rely on cooperation, social networks, and a more generalized trust to be able to implement the necessary steps. Multi-level governance can be adapted with institutionalized forms of action and organizations to bring the efforts and enable multi-stakeholders’ cooperation. Trust is a key element for action and for the implementation of successful policies. However, with the rise of antagonisms, conflicts or divided interests, crisis, and conflicts can emerge and jeopardize further cooperation. In this framework, the parameter of trust to understand the conflicts and move beyond potential crisis is often an underestimated factor. This chapter will analyze the question of trust as an enabling factor to move beyond conflicts, applied to the case of water management and disaster risk management in local settings.
Anomaly Detection in Metal-Textile Industries
Authors: Elsen Ingo , Ferrein Alexander , Schiffer Stefan
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we presented an approach to deploying a student–teacher feature pyramid model (STFPM) for anomaly detection metal-textile gas filters used in automotive exhaust gas filtering at GKD-Gebr. Kufferath AG. As the customer requires 100% quality of the delivered parts, an optical inspection process of every produced filter is required. This is very demanding for the human inspection worker as she has to inspect many 100 parts in an 8 hours shift. On the other hand, a fully vision-based system is not able to achieve the required classification rates either. Therefore, we propose a one-class anomaly detection process for the gas filters where human and AI work together in achieving the 100% pass rate. The STFPM model deals with the large amount of clearly true positive cases and automatedly classified them as PASS. Only cases of doubt where an anomaly has been detected are inspected by the human inspector. This way, the work load of the inspection worker is reduced, and, on the other hand, the hard to meet case of no mis-classification of the AI system can be avoided. We show the network architecture and the integration into the quality inspection process of the company GKD.
Artificial Intelligence in Creative Writing Studies: Threat or Opportunity
Authors: Taylor Suchy Susan
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are changing the world of creative writing. In addition to assisting with grammar and spelling, creative writers can now collaborate with AI, and many find increased productivity and new directions in their work. However, within the field of creative writing studies, a place where writers engage with creativity in higher education, while the theoretical definitions of creative practice tend to be fluid, the discipline is generally not quick to change certain pedagogical approaches. Historically, the field has found ways to adapt to technology while maintaining its traditions, but the rapid advances in AI require consideration to determine if there is a need for change. This chapter examines some of the views of creativity and methods of creative practice of practitioners in the field and discusses the impact of those views and approaches in relation to the digital age and recent technological developments in AI.
Introducing Global Optimization vs. Local Optimization in Water Resource Management
Authors: Abdelaziz Ramadan
Published: January 2025

There are two types of optimization methods used in Water resources management: global optimization and local optimization. Global optimization algorithms, such as hydroPSO, MCMC, and genetic algorithms (GAs), have been used to optimize large-scale problems with many variables. Local optimization algorithms, such as PEST and UCODE, are best suited for fine-tuning and calibration of models to better fit specific observed data. Optimization techniques have become increasingly significant in water resource management over recent decades, aiming to efficiently allocate resources while minimizing environmental impacts. Two primary approaches dominate the field: global and local optimization. The chapter aims to compare global optimization techniques such as hydroPSO, MCMC, and others to local optimization techniques such as PEST, UCODE, and others in groundwater and surface water modeling. It is a flexible and powerful tool that can handle various types of hydrological models, such as MODFLOW, HYDRUS, and SWAT. The chapter will use different performance measures and case studies to provide a comprehensive comparison of these techniques in water resources management.
Machine Learning Architectures and their Applications in Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Butola Ankit
Published: January 2025

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful imaging technique that utilizes optical scattering to extract tomographic information of biological samples in their natural state. Over the past two decades, OCT has advanced both experimentally and computationally to improve its performance in terms of resolution, penetration depth, acquisition speed, and sensitivity. The interpretability of OCT particularly increased through its integration with artificial intelligence (AI). While fast and label-free nature of OCT becomes popular in optical imaging, AI assigned an artificial system to mimic human intelligence, such as classification, visualizations, and segmentation. In particular, the subfield of AI, i.e., machine learning (ML) is a data-driven approach, which is explicitly designed and optimized by fine-tuning the hyperparameters to reflect certain features through learning rule. In this chapter, we aim to provide a critical overview of OCT and machine learning model by presenting the scientific context, working principles, and current biomedical applications. The chapter will also cover types of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that have been used in analyzing diverse OCT images.
Optical Coherence Tomography in Strabismus: Innovations and Clinical Applications
Authors: Tinkir Kayitmazbatir Emine
Published: January 2025

Strabismus, a visual disorder involving eye misalignment, presents significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has transformed the management of strabismus by providing high-resolution imaging of ocular tissues, which aids in accurate diagnosis and management. Continuous advancements in OCT technology, including anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A), enhance preoperative planning, postoperative monitoring, and evaluation of associated conditions such as thyroid ophthalmopathy and amblyopia. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of OCT’s role in strabismus management, highlight technological advancements, and discuss the integration of OCT tools in clinical practice. It will explore current research trends and future directions in the application of OCT for strabismus and amblyopia.
Modeling and Optimal Design Strategies for Wire-Plate ESP
Authors: Badran Mohamed , Alkhaiyat Abdallah
Published: January 2025

This chapter focuses specifically on wire-plate-type electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), detailing their fundamental operation principles and the role of electrostatic forces in particle collection. It also outlines the key mathematical models used to simulate ESPs, providing insights into the interactions between electric fields, airflow, and particle dynamics. Furthermore, the chapter investigates the impact of geometric variations—such as electrode spacing, plate length, and channel height—on wire-plate ESP efficacy by utilizing finite element analysis. The findings indicate that optimizing these geometric parameters can substantially enhance collection efficiency, reduce operational costs, and mitigate potential particle re-entrainment. In an industrial context, several key parameters must be considered to maximize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the ESP. Factors such as power consumption, inlet flow velocity, specific collection area, plate-to-plate distance, and corona power ratio influence the overall performance of the system. The chapter concludes with practical design and optimization guidelines, demonstrating that an optimal balance between high collection efficiency and low energy usage can be achieved, thereby enhancing the environmental and economic performance of wire-plate ESPs.
Programming Optimization of Move with Interleaving Transform
Authors: Žalik Borut , Jeromel Aljaž , Kolingerová Ivana , Lukač Niko , Repnik Blaž
Published: January 2025

Computer resources and programming solutions have always been utilised with the aim of improving efficiency; consequently, many optimisations have been developed in the past. This chapter first considers some typical characteristic optimisations in computing. Following this, a string transformation technique, Move with Interleaving (MwI), is explained briefly. MwI may become considerably slow when a larger number of elements need to be frequently interleaved in the MwI data structure. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate how different implementations of this data structure affect CPU time on three different computing platforms: a personal computer running MS Windows and Linux, and a Raspberry Pi 2 using Linux. MwI was implemented in three ways: using a standard vector, a lookup table, and a dynamic linked list supported by a pool of released records. All three approaches were implemented in C++ and Java. Thirty-two 8-bit-plane greyscale raster images were used for experiments, with these images varying in content and resolution. The results show that the implementation using the dynamic linked list is the most optimised and outperforms significantly the implementation based on the lookup table and even more so the implementation using the standard vector. The most dramatic differences were observed on the less powerful Raspberry Pi for the implementation in Java.
Vibrant Soundbridge Surgical Techniques
Authors: Aljazeeri Isra , Ibrahim Anas , Abdelsamad Yassin , Alzhrani Farid
Published: January 2025

The Vibrant Soundbridge device is an active middle ear implant that converts the acoustic energy to a vibratory signal that is delivered to the middle ear. Along with bypassing the conductive element of hearing process lateral to the side of attachment, the VSB can also give some amplification to the hearing. The VSB was first FDA approved for treating patients with SNHL, and now the candidacy expanded to cover patients with mixed and pure conductive hearing loss and has proven its success in practice. The device consists of an external speech processor with a microphone that receives the sound and an internal part with an internal receiver coil, a conductor link, and a floating mass transducer (FMT). The vibrating part of the VSB is the FMT, which is coupled to the ossicular chain using various vibroplasty couplers to fit a wide variety of anatomical differences of the patients.
Detection and Detoxification Methods for Mycotoxins: From Classical to New Trends
Authors: Düzel Ahmet
Published: January 2025

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. Hundreds of mycotoxins have been identified to date, and these mycotoxins have adversely affected human and animal health, as well as agriculture and the economy. Indeed, mycotoxin contamination in food and feed is pervasive and causes significant losses every year. As complete prevention of mycotoxin formation is close to impossible, researchers are actively developing new detection and detoxification techniques. In addition, mycotoxin detection methods often require some pretreatments for accurate measurement. On the other hand, in addition to physical, chemical and biological methods, mycotoxins can also be detoxified by other methods that have emerged in recent years. This study aims to highlight the detection and detoxification methods for mycotoxins and introduce innovative approaches in these areas.
Perspective Chapter: Advanced Environment Modelling Techniques for Mobile Manipulators
Authors: Fernandez Noelia , Espinoza Gonzalo , Mendez Alberto , Prados Adrian , Mora Alicia , Barber Ramon
Published: January 2025

In recent years, the capabilities of mobile robots to interact with humans and their environment have been enhanced by emerging technological advances. The improvement in the quantity and quality of information from robot sensors, along with increased computational capacities, has enabled the development of new algorithms to model the human environment in which the robot moves and interacts. This chapter will describe modelling techniques for scenes and objects that compose the environment, with the aim of generating an internal representation of the robot’s surroundings so it can navigate and perform manipulation tasks in shared environments with humans. Recent advances in environment modelling driven by deep learning and machine learning techniques, using sensor information, will be presented. Additionally, new trends in the generation of simulated environments, their elements, and synthetic databases will be studied. These trends aim to leverage advances in artificial intelligence to expand the quantity and variety of available data, facilitating the process of learning and understanding the environment.
Strategies for Responding to Organizational Crises: Empirical Insights and a Proposed Model
Authors: P. Mangaliso Mzamo , J. Knipes Bradford , A. Gazillo Stephen , McGuinness Maureen
Published: January 2025

As crisis management strategies continue to evolve in the face of-more frequent and intense natural disasters, there is a growing need for proven processes to guide how organizations can more effectively respond and quickly adapt. In this chapter, we examine the real-life experiences organizations can have when managing a crisis, using an empirical investigation of crisis management in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers as a touchstone. This serves as a foundation for developing a practical and adaptive crisis management model. The methodology adopted for the study consisted of document analysis, autoethnography, and personal interviews. A review of the literature on organizational crises is followed by interviews conducted with six of the firms directly affected by the 9/11 attack. The interviews were supplemented with an analysis of documents published on the companies involved. We organized these experiences and insights to build the foundation for future crisis event learning. From the empirical data, we developed a novel crisis management model that integrates the essential feedback structure of decision-making and learning in every adaptive system, which distinguishes it from other models. In our findings, key crisis management themes emerged in three areas: (1) creating collaborative, multi-level teams for rapid decision-making can be highly effective, (2) demonstrating genuine, compassionate leadership is paramount to demonstrating responsiveness, and (3) the lessons learned, and insights derived from crises like the World Trade Center attack provide a foundation for firms in the future to manage crisis events. Lessons learned and implications for leadership in times of crises are discussed.
Gambling Addiction among University Students
Authors: Ssewante Nelson
Published: January 2025

The prevalence of gambling disorder (GD) among university students has risen over the past two decades. Factors, such as Age, Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Advertisement (the “5 As”), favor gambling behavior in this population. Although limited information exists outside the U.S., global meta-analyses report a 10.2% prevalence of GD among university students. Evidence shows the disorder significantly impacts students’ health and academic performance, being linked to low grades, course dropouts, and academic misconduct. This chapter explores the prevalence, phases, and risk factors of GD and its effects on the student’s academic performance. We also briefly discuss the available prevention strategies for gambling among this population.
Microfluidics Detection Technologies and Applications
Authors: Cao Qiao , Chen Xiangyu
Published: January 2025

Microfluidic chips can condense an entire analytical detection laboratory into a chip of just a few square centimeters, achieving miniaturization, integration, automation, and high-sensitivity. The main microfluidic detection technologies include electrochemical detection technology, capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection technology, and photoelectric detection technology, which are now widely used in environmental monitoring, food safety testing, drug testing, disease diagnosis, and agricultural detection. In this chapter, we summarize the typical analytical methods integrated onto microfluidic platforms. Applications of these microfluidic analytical methods on environment, food safety, biomedicine, and other fields also have been discussed. At last, the challenges and future directions about microfluidics-based analysis development have been remarked.
MRSA in Hospital Setting
Authors: Bankar Nandkishor , Shelke Yogendra , Bandre Gulshan , Kohle Mangesh
Published: January 2025

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a significant health-associated infection that poses challenges in prevention, control, and treatment. MRSA infections acquired in hospitals are the most common source of hospital-acquired infections and are often associated with high mortality, morbidity, long stays, and financial burdens. Several factors influence the prevalence of MRSA in hospitals. High patient turnover, overcrowding, and insufficient adherence to infection control practices contribute to the spread of MRSA infection within healthcare facilities. In addition, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant strains, including MRSA. Close contact, contaminated surfaces, invasive medical procedures, antibiotic and resistance, lack of adherence to infection control, environmental factors, and colonization and carries are the factors responsible for the transmission and spread of MRSA in hospitals. Key risk factors associated with hospital-acquired MRSA are patient-related, healthcare-related, and visitor-related risk factors. This chapter focuses on the epidemiology, transmission routes, risk factors contributing to MRSA transmission in hospitals, and the importance of implementing effective prevention and control strategies.
Strategy for Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Bacterial Infection in Food with Contact by UV-C Light
Authors: Vitasari
Published: January 2025

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are found as normal flora in the skin and mucous membranes in humans. Food that is allowed to be stored openly in the outside air and processed by the carrier can become a breeding medium for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because food has a high protein, water and fat content needed by bacteria to grow and develop. Some types of Staphylococcus bacteria can produce enterotoxins that cause food poisoning. In food, Staphylococcus aureus does not form spores so the growth of Staphylococcus aureus can be immediately inhibited by heat treatment, but enterotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus are heat-resistant and still active after being heated at 100°C for 30 minutes. One of the strategies that can be done to break the chain of enterotoxin infection is disinfection using UV-C light to eliminate or inhibit bacterial growth in the food storage process so that there are no more bacteria that can produce enterotoxins.
Impact of Nanotechnology on Soil Health and Plant Halobiont
Authors: Dhankar Rahul , Gupta Sachi , Tomar Anjali , Dhanker Preeti
Published: January 2025

Nanotechnology, which is the process of controlling problems at atomic and molecular scale, has attracted great focus in past few decades because of its potential applicability in many fields. Another promising area for nanotechnology is agriculture; In particular, improving soil health and increasing the interaction between plants and their associated microbes cause all plant diseases. The present chapter expresses the probable effects of nanotechnology over soil health as well as plant diseases, highlighting the potential pros and concerns linked with the use of nanomaterials. The chapter discusses the role of nanotechnology in improving food productivity, plant growth and disease resistance and its potential impact on soil microbes and ecological impacts. It also addresses issues and ethics associated with utilization of nanotechnology in agriculture, emphasizing need for responsibility and leadership.
Dengue Virus Infection: Etiology, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Prevention
Authors: Krishna Gudikandula , Sreedevi Sreedasyam , Thrimothi Dasari
Published: January 2025

Dengue fever, a rapidly spreading viral infection, is a global public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical climate-prone countries. Approximately 50% of the worldwide population is currently susceptible to acquiring the dengue virus. This study overviews the dengue virus epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and diagnosis. The review of 120 reports revealed 380 million dengue infections, with 100 million cases exhibiting dengue clinical characteristics resulting in thousands of annual fatalities across 129 countries. The disease’s root cause is the dengue virus transmission through the bite of an infected female mosquito, specifically the Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus species. The dengue virus belongs to the Flavivirus genus and Flaviviridae family. It consists of four distinct serotypes of single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses related to their antigens. The infection can cause various disorders ranging from mild febrile illness to dengue hemorrhagic fever or shock syndrome. The diagnosis can be achieved through RT-PCR tests or testing for NS1 antigen and anti-dengue antibodies in various tissues. The incidence of dengue infections and outbreaks has significantly impacted public health in recent decades. Implementing drug standardization and population screening for early detection and treatment reduces mosquito bites and decreases death rates.
Mitigating Caesarean Section Complications
Authors: Nontsikelelo Gubu-Ntaba Constance , Mpumlwana Vulikhaya , Bitamazire Businge Charles
Published: January 2025

Caesarean section (C-S), a common life-saving obstetric intervention, can result in immediate life-threatening or long-term complications for the mothers and their babies. Hence, C-S should be done only when medically indicated and in a timely and safe manner. The risk of complications is heightened by unnecessary C-S deliveries and the inappropriate timing and conduct of the procedure, especially in LMIC. In both HIC and LMIC settings, women with low socio-economic status are more at risk due to upstream structural factors that propagate health inequity during the reproductive age and downstream health system factors that preclude access to quality maternity care. Effective interventions ought to address social inequality, promote healthy lifestyles, and increase access to quality maternity care as an integral part of a multisectoral approach to primary health care. These interventions should address the risk factors along a continuum of care from preconception and antenatal periods which operate mainly at the community level; antenatal and intrapartum factors at the primary health facility levels; and intraoperative and post-operative factors mainly at the secondary level and tertiary level facilities. The scale of the interventions at the various levels will depend on the magnitude of the risk, which varies by HIC and LIC status and from one country to another and within countries. The rapidly increasing information technology and access to other medical technologies like point-of-care ultrasound, AI, and the use of evidence-based protocols have started positively impacting maternity care and may further improve C-S outcomes when accessible and properly utilised.
Marine-Derived Novel Compounds for Fibrinolysis
Authors: Jeevithan Lakshmi , Elango Jeevithan , Eduardo Mate Sanchez De Val Jose , Wu Wenhui
Published: January 2025

Marine-derived natural compounds play a major role in treating several human-related diseases due to their unique chemical diversity, biocompatibility, and excellent medicinal properties. Recent studies have explored the potential of marine organisms, especially microorganisms, as sources for novel bioactive substances that possess fibrinolytic activity. For the past decades, our team has been exploring marine-derived secondary metabolites as novel compounds for thrombolysis and fibrinolysis. Our recent studies investigated the fibrinolytic properties of Fungi fibrinolytic compound(R)-2,5-bis(2R,3R)-2-((E)-4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dien-1-yl)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-methyl-7-oxo-3,4,7,9-tetrahydropyrano[2,3-e]isoindol-8(2H)-yl)pentanoic acid (Fungi fibrinolytic compound-1 (FGFC1), staplabin) with a molecular weight of 869 Da from a rare marine microorganism Stachbotrys longispora FG216. Accordingly, this chapter highlights the source of bioactive compounds, especially FGFCs from different marine organisms. We review the extraction methods and characteristics of these bioactive compounds and their molecular signaling mechanisms and examine their role in fibrinolysis and related disorders.
Effect of Water Stress on Brazilian Soybean Production
Authors: Herculino da Silva Barros Timóteo , Maciel de Almeida Ailson , de Oliveira Costa Jefferson , Rosana Barros Da Silva Flávia , Vieira Uliana Matheus , Hamilton Abrau-Junior Cassio , Duarte Coelho Rubens , Vieira José Jefferson
Published: January 2025

Among the strategies used for water management in agriculture, deficit irrigation stands out, which introduces the term water use efficiency (WUE). There is evidence that suggests that deficient irrigation can increase WUE without causing losses in the productivity of several crops; however, information is limited on the level of water replacement that does not cause negative effects on soybeans. Thus, the present work aimed to determine the level of water replacement under deficit that does not cause damage to productivity per area of soybean cultivation, identify water stress through the thermal response patterns of the soybean plant canopy, and verify the relationships between the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and income and between CWSI and WUE.
Surgical Techniques in Caesarean Section
Authors: Takyi Charles , E. Sefogah Promise , Adu Bonsaffoh Kwame
Published: January 2025

Caesarean section (CS) is defined as the surgical delivery of a baby, placenta, and membranes through an incision into the abdomen and uterus after the period of foetal viability. It is the commonest operative delivery technique worldwide, and the global trend for the CS rate has been rising progressively since 1990. A worldwide review of CS records gives an average CS rate of 21% with a range of 5–42.8%. Disparities in CS rates have been observed between continents, countries, regions, cities, and institutions. Historically, caesarean section was used to deliver babies in a dead or dying mother during the Roman empire; however, due to advances in medical interventions such as anaesthesia, blood transfusion, and antibiotics, the indications for CS have changed over the years. Currently, the indications for CS include medical and non-medical reasons. Although CS is a life-saving procedure, it may potentially be associated with severe maternal and perinatal complications. Surgical techniques used for caesarean section include all medically approved processes used from patient preparation before surgery through skin incision, abdominal entry, uterine incision to deliver the foetus, placenta and membranes, and the repair of these successive layers. There is, however, no clear consensus on a single best technique for caesarean section.
Overview of History-Matching Approaches and Testing in Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Andino Saint Antonin Jose
Published: January 2025

When transitioning from static to dynamic reservoir modeling, prediction of historical field performance serves as a crucial benchmark. Newly constructed geological models often fall short of accurately reproducing this historical behavior, requiring adjustments; a practice known as “history matching.” This chapter outlines essential principles of history matching, emphasizing not only the need to fit to historical data but also assessing the model’s ability to predict unseen data. A discussion on sources of error is followed by a review of classical history-matching techniques, along with advanced methods available in modern software packages. Additionally, the chapter briefly explores neural networks as a potential avenue for improvement. It’s important to recognize that history matching remains a challenge. As an inverse problem, it involves finding model parameters that align with known responses based on observed inputs. The under-determined nature of this problem adds complexity and is often compounded by data inconsistencies or uncertainty. The chapter advocates viewing reservoir simulation not as a purely scientific endeavor but as a tool for informed business decision-making. Rather than aiming for exhaustive representation, models should focus on correctly forecasting critical characteristics relevant to field development decisions and reserves quantification.
A Unified Care Delivery Model: Integration of Remote Patient Monitoring and Ambulatory Care for Diabetes and Hypertension Management in the U.S.
Authors: Wang Li , Weng Katrina , Wang Chilsea , Zheng Dawei , Li Xin-Nong
Published: January 2025

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) continues to rise in the U.S. with an aging population, suboptimal diet, and insufficient physical activity. Critical components of effective management, such as continuous home monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose (BG), timely data sharing for clinical decision support, lifestyle improvement, and medication adherence, are often inadequate between routine primary care physician (PCP) or endocrinologist follow-up visits. Patients with uncontrolled DM and HTN continue to experience preventable complications and increased spending costs for the healthcare system. This chapter summarizes the adoption of remote patient monitoring (RPM) in U.S. primary care, and spotlights original research data from an innovative Unified Care program that integrates RPM with an onsite clinical team in the doctor’s office and an online, app-based monitoring and health coaching service: a seamless healthcare experience. The program has demonstrated an average reduction of 11.9 mmHg/−6.3 mmHg over 12 months among Stage II Hypertension patients, and an average glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction of 1.4% over 6 months in patients with uncontrolled baseline HbA1c. These results show the potential of a unified care model beyond RPM for managing large population with chronic diseases more effectively.
Ribociclib (Kisqali) for Early Breast Cancer
Authors:   Editors from The Medical Letter
Published: January 2025

The oral cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor ribociclib (Kisqali – Novartis), which was approved by the FDA in 2017 for use with an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant for treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer,1 has now been approved for use with an aromatase inhibitor for adjuvant treatment of HR-positive, HER2-negative stage II or III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence.
In Brief: New FDA Warning of Pulmonary Aspiration with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Authors:   Editors from The Medical Letter
Published: January 2025

The package inserts of the GLP-1 receptor agonists dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon BCise), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza), and semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) and the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) have been updated to include rare postmarketing reports of pulmonary aspiration associated with their use in patients undergoing elective procedures requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation who had residual gastric contents despite preoperative fasting.
Elafibranor (Iqirvo) for Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Authors:   Editors from The Medical Letter
Published: January 2025

Elafibranor (Iqirvo – Ipsen), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, has been granted accelerated approval by the FDA for treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in adults. It is indicated for use in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol, UDCA; Urso Forte, and generics) in patients with an inadequate response to UDCA alone and as monotherapy in those unable to tolerate UDCA.
Qlosi — Pilocarpine 0.4% Ophthalmic Solution for Presbyopia
Authors:   Editors from The Medical Letter
Published: January 2025

The FDA has approved pilocarpine 0.4% preservative-free ophthalmic solution (Qlosi – Orasis) for treatment of presbyopia in adults. Pilocarpine 1.25% ophthalmic solution (Vuity) was approved in 2021 for the same indication.1 Pilocarpine 1%, 2%, and 4% ophthalmic solutions (Isopto Carpine, and others) have been available for years for treatment of glaucoma, but local (e.g., blurry vision and instillation-site pain) and systemic (e.g., sweating and GI disturbances) adverse effects have limited their use.
Revumenib (Revuforj) for Acute Leukemia
Authors:   Editors from The Medical Letter
Published: January 2025

Revumenib (Revuforj – Syndax), an oral menin inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for treatment of relapsed or refractory acute leukemia in patients ≥1 year old with a lysine methyltransferase 2A gene (KMT2A) translocation. It is the first menin inhibitor to be approved in the US.