bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REVISIÓN BIBLIOGRÁFICA DEL IMPACTO DE LA FRAGMENTACIÓN Y LA URBANIZACIÓN SOBRE LAS COMUNIDADES DE INSECTOS.
Authors: Abrego L. Jeancarlos , Rivera José A. , Garrido Anette , Wilkie Estibali
Published: May 2024

La fragmentación del hábitat y la urbanización están teniendo un impacto dramático en las comunidades de insectos. La rápida expansión de las áreas urbanas y la intensificación de la agricultura han llevado a la pérdida y división de los hábitats naturales, lo que resulta en la fragmentación de los ecosistemas, este proceso está generando consecuencias significativas para los insectos. Los estudios revisados demuestran que la fragmentación del hábitat y la urbanización están asociadas con una disminución tanto en la diversidad como en la abundancia de las comunidades de insectos. Estos destacan que la fragmentación del hábitat y la urbanización influyen en el comportamiento, la dinámica de las poblaciones de insectos, los patrones de migración, cambios morfométricos, dispersión y reproducción de los insectos, lo que podría tener consecuencias a largo plazo en la composición y estructura de las comunidades de insectos.
The Effects of Eccentric Training on Undulatory Underwater Swimming Performance and Kinematics in Competitive Swimmers
Authors: Ruiz-Navarro Jesús J. , López-Belmonte Óscar , Cuenca-Fernández Francisco , Gay Ana , Arellano Raúl
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a five-week training program on undulatory underwater swimming (UUS) in swimmers and to compare the specific effects prompted by two different training protocols on UUS performance and kinematics. Swimmers (n = 14) were divided into in-water only (WO) (18.61 ± 2.62 years, FINA points: 507 ± 60) and water + dry-land training groups (with conical pulleys) (WD) (18.38 ± 2.67 years, FINA points: 508 ± 83). Three countermovement jumps (CMJ) and three maximal UUS trials were performed before and after a five-week training period. The training program comprised 14 × 30-min sessions. The WO group repeated the same 15-min block twice, while the WD group performed one block of 15 min in the water and the other block on land performing lower limb exercises with conical pulleys. Seven body landmarks were auto-digitalized during UUS by a pre-trained neural network and 21 kinematic variables were calculated. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant time × group interaction in favour of the WD group was observed for mean vertical toe velocity (p = 0.035, = 0.32). The WD group experienced enhancements in mean and maximum underwater velocity, kick frequency, maximum shoulder angular velocity, as well as mean and maximum vertical toe velocity (p < 0.05). The WO group exhibited an enhancement in CMJ height (p < 0.05). In conclusion, UUS performance was improved in adolescent swimmers after five weeks of specific training, only when combining water and conical pulley exercises. Coaches should include dry-land specific lower limb exercises in addition to in-water training to improve UUS performance.
Relationship among the COM Motion, the Lower Extremity
and the Trunk during the Squat
Authors: Kasahara Satoshi , Ishida Tomoya , Linjing Jiang , Chiba Ami , Samukawa Mina , Tohyama Harukazu
Published: May 2024

Squatting is a common motion in activities of daily living and is frequently used in training programs. Squatting requires a shift of the body in both vertical and anterior-posterior directions. Postural control during squatting is considered a mixed strategy; however, details and roles of the trunk and lower limb joints are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among the kinematics of the lower limb, the trunk and the center of mass (COM) descent during squatting. Twenty-six healthy young adults performed repeated parallel squats. Lower limb joint and trunk angles and the COM were analyzed using a 3D motion analysis system. We evaluated the relationship between the kinematics and the squat depth by performing correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The ankle was the first to reach its maximum angle, and the remaining joints reached their maximum angles at the maximum squat depth. The knee joint motion and the squat depth were significantly correlated and there was a correlation between the hip and the ankle joint motion and the anteroposterior displacement of the COM during squatting. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that squat depth was predicted by both the knee and ankle motion and that anteroposterior displacement of the COM was predicted by the hip, ankle, and knee joint motion. The knees contributed to the vertical COM motion during squatting, while the hips contributed to the COM motion in the anteroposterior direction. On the other hand, the ankles contributed to COM motions in both the vertical and anteroposterior directions during squatting.
Within-Match Performance Fluctuations: Assessment
and Observed vs. Expected Extent in Table Tennis
Authors: Liu Ruizhi , Lames Martin
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to assess within-match performance fluctuations in table tennis by utilising a dynamic performance indicator, a tailored version of a double moving average. This performance indicator applied to the sequence of wins and losses per rally, modelled a player’s momentary point-winning probability or playing strength. Binomial distribution and Monte Carlo simulations were employed to obtain the expected distributions of double moving averages and their kurtosis. A total of two hundred and eleven single matches from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games were examined to characterise the extent of empirical fluctuations and to test for deviations from the expected fluctuations. Results showed that there were large within-match fluctuations (average IQR per match = 0.27). In addition, only one out of the two hundred and eleven matches exhibited a significant deviation from the stochastically expected double moving average distribution. This deviation was observed in the kurtosis of sixteen matches (7.6%). These findings underline the importance of considering within-match dynamic changes when conducting theoretical or practical performance analyses. This consideration should also extend to other performance indicators and various sports games.
Knee and Hip Muscle Strength of Male Soccer Players
from Different Competitive Levels
Authors: França Cíntia , Martins Francisco , Przednowek Krzysztof , Marques Adilson , Ihle Andreas , Sarmento Hugo , Gouveia Élvio Rúbio
Published: May 2024

In soccer, knee and hip muscle strength assessments have been recommended for injury prevention. The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to compare knee and hip muscle strength between professional players competing at different levels; (2) to compare strength performance according to the preferred leg (PL) and the non-preferred leg (NPL); and (3) to compare knee and hip muscle strength performance at two moments of the season. This study included 33 professional soccer players: 13 were in the elite group (EG), and 20 were in the sub-elite group (SEG). Body composition, isokinetic knee strength at 60º/s, and hip adduction strength were assessed at two different moments (M1 and M2). Values of peak torque (PT), peak torque/bodyweight (PT/BW), and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) for knee extensors (KEs) and knee flexors (KFs) for both legs were used for analysis. The statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. At M1, the EG presented a significantly better performance in KF PT/BW and in the squeeze strength test for the PL and the NPL (p  0.01). At M2, the EG performed substantially better in KE PT/BW and KF PT/BW (p  0.01). No substantial strength differences were observed in knee and hip muscle performance between the PL and the NPL. From M1 to M2, significant increases were found in knee strength in both groups (p  0.01). Overall, the EG players outperformed significantly their lower-division peers in strength assessments. The results indicate significant knee and hip muscle strength increases during the season, probably as a response to the exposure to training and competition.
Cognitive Development and Decision Making in Basketball:
A Comparison between Male Players with and without Intellectual Impairment and across Different Age-Groups
Authors: Pinilla Arbex Javier , Pérez-Tejero Javier , Van Biesen Debbie , Polo Ignacio , Janssens Luc , Vanlandewijck Yves
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of age and intellectual impairment (II) in decision-making in basketball. The current study investigated differences in decision making between equally well-trained adult basketball male players with intellectual impairment (players with II) (n = 93), adults without II (senior) (n = 44) and youth basketball players (under-14, n = 31; under-16, n = 25; under-18, n = 30). A computer test was developed composed by 20 photographs displaying various basketball game-situations, and participants had to decide as fast as possible what the player in ball possession should do: dribble, pass or shoot. Decision time and accuracy were recorded for every situation. Players with II had slower decision time (3.8 ± 1.8 s vs. 1.5 ± 0.5 s, p < 0.001) and less decision-making accuracy (15.7 ± 2.8 correct decisions vs. 17.9 ± 1.2 correct decisions, p < 0.001) compared to senior players without II. Discriminant analysis with speed and accuracy as independent variables classified 91.2% (CCA = 0.769) of the players correctly into their group: players with II or players without II. A Spearman correlation revealed that age correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the number of correct decisions (rs = 0.269) and mean decision time (rs = −0.331). Our findings support that decision making in basketball develops with age and experience, but is significantly deteriorated in experienced adult players who have II. Decision-making should be considered as an important eligibility criterion to participate in competitive basketball events for male players with II.
Positional Differences in Decision-Making Situations
during Professional Rugby League Match-Play
Authors: Turek Lily Ella , Doma Kenji , Connor Jonathan Douglas , Sinclair Wade Heath
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to explore the types and frequency of decision-making situations of rugby league players during defensive situations and examine whether they were predictive of key performance indicators (KPI). Fifteen elite rugby league matches were coded using notational analysis methods. Specific defensive situations were analysed, including the number of: one-on-one situations with an opposing attacker (1-on-1), two-on-one situations (2-on-1), and combined 1-on-1 and 2-on-1 situations (i.e., total decisions; TDs). There was no relationship between the game outcome and game KPIs for TDs or 1-on-1 decision-making situations. However, successful tackles and missed tackles were predictive of 2-on-1 decision-making situations. Positional differences revealed that back rowers were exposed to the greatest number of decision-making situations, while wingers had the lowest exposure. The total number of decisions and the number of 1-on-1 decisions made by the centres and wingers were significant predictors of line breaks. Additionally, 2-on-1 decisions were significant predictors of line breaks for backrowers. The findings of this study suggest that the type and frequency of decision-making situations in Rugby League are position specific. Practical applications for coaches are discussed to ensure that practice approaches are representative of the various defensive decision-making demands players experience during a game, based on their position.
Effects of varying dietary energy levels on growth, carcass and economy of broiler chickens fed straight diets
Authors: K. D. Afolabi , U. L. Unah , P. M. Eko , S. N. Okey , N. A. Ukpong
Published: May 2024

The effects of varying dietary energy levels with same protein level on growth performance, carcass traits and economy of broiler chickens fed straight diets was evaluated. Diets were compounded and labeled diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 with Metabolizable Energy (ME) levels of 2800, 3000, 3200 and 3400 kcal/KgDM, respectively with a constant protein level of 24 %. 120 1- old chicks were randomly allocated to the four dietary treatments with 30 birds per treatment. Each treatment was replicated 3 times and each replicate had 10 birds. The birds were fed experimental diets for 7 weeks. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in daily feed intake, energy efficiency ratio, daily ME intake, cost of feed intake/kg body weight gain and % weights of drumstick, shank, breast and wing. The initial body weight, daily body weight gain, final body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and other carcass traits were similar (p>0.05). It was concluded that feeding broiler chicken with diet containing 2800kcalME/kgDM and 24 % crude protein for 7 weeks gave optimal performance with the least cost of feed intake per Kg body weight gain, least feed conversion ratio and highest gross margin (profit).
 
 
 
 
Les effets de différents niveaux d'énergie alimentaire avec le même niveau de protéines sur les performances de croissance, les caractéristiques des carcasses et l'économie des poulets de chair nourris avec des régimes simples ont été évalués. Les régimes ont été composés et étiquetés régimes 1, 2, 3 et 4 avec des niveaux d'énergie métabolisable (EM) de 2 800, 3 000, 3 200 et 3 400 kcal/KgMS, respectivement avec un niveau de protéines constant de 24 %. 120 poussins d'un an ont été répartis au hasard entre les quatre traitements alimentaires, à raison de 30 oiseaux par traitement. Chaque traitement a été répété 3 fois et chaque répétition concernait 10 oiseaux. Les oiseaux ont été nourris avec des régimes expérimentaux pendant 7 semaines. Des différences significatives (p <0,05) ont été observées dans la consommation alimentaire quotidienne, le rapport d'efficacité énergétique, la consommation quotidienne d'EM, le coût de la consommation alimentaire/kg de gain de poids corporel et le pourcentage de poids du pilon, du jarret, de la poitrine et de l'aile. Le poids corporel initial, le gain de poids corporel quotidien, le gain de poids corporel final, le taux de conversion alimentaire, le taux d'efficacité protéique et les autres caractéristiques de la carcasse étaient similaires (p > 0,05). Il a été conclu que nourrir des poulets de chair avec un régime contenant 2 800 kcalME/kgMS et 24 % de protéines brutes pendant 7 semaines donnait des performances optimales avec le moindre coût de consommation alimentaire par kg de gain de poids corporel, le plus faible taux de conversion alimentaire et la marge brute (bénéfice) la plus élevée.
Influence of Financial Resources Management on Project Performance in Public Institutions: A Case of Kigali City (2018-2022)
Authors: Aradukunda Annuarite , Sikubwabo Cyprien
Published: May 2024

In this study, we examine the impact of financial resource management on project performance. Projects in Kigali City were poorly implemented due to misappropriation of public funds and insufficient measurement of project performance, especially in subdivisions and surrounding villages, leading to project failure. In directing this research project, two purposes were set: to assess the impact of financial resource management planning on project performance in Kigali City and to examine the impact of financial resource control on project performance in Kigali City. Both financial literacy and resource dependency theories were used, furthermore in order to achieve these objectives, literature was reviewed on the subject matter including definitions of key concepts, conceptual review, theoretical framework, conceptual framework and research gap analysis, additionally the target population of the study was 312 employees of Kigali City and out of them a sample size of 175 employees were selected by using stratified sampling technique. Questionnaires, interview guides and documents were used as data collection tools. Data was processed through editing, coding and tabulation and the data also was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that there is a significance relationship between financial resources management and City of Kigali’s project performance; and it was found that holding all the financial resources management to a constant zero, project performance of Kigali City will be 30.6 percent, a unit increase in the use of financial resource planning will lead to a 0.731% improvement in project performance in Kigali City, the use of financial resource management will lead to a 1% improvement in project performance in Kigali City.  The regression analysis revealed significant coefficients indicating the impact of financial resource management on project performance in Kigali City. With a constant of 0.346, when financial resource management is absent, the project performance is estimated to be 30.6%. For every unit increase in financial resource planning, there is a corresponding 0.731% rise in project performance (Beta = 0.731, t = 6.008, p < 0.001), and similarly, a 1% increase in financial resource control leads to enhanced project performance (Beta = 0.500, t = 2.550, p = 0.025). Notably, financial resource planning exerts the strongest influence on project performance, followed by financial resource control. Both variables demonstrated statistical significance, with p-values of 0.000 and 0.025 respectively, at a 95% confidence level. Thus, all factors examined are deemed significant (p < 0.05). Therefore, based on the findings, the researchers recommend that the public entity Kigali City should continuously ensure that it has financial control expertise to ensure organizational performance.
Land surface temperature trends derived from Landsat imagery in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Gök Deniz Tobias , Scherler Dirk , Wulf Hendrik
Published: May 2024

Abstract. The warming of high mountain regions caused by climate change is leading to glacier retreat, decreasing snow cover, and thawing permafrost, which has far-reaching effects on ecosystems and societies. Landsat Collection 2 provides multi-decadal land surface temperature (LST) data, principally suited for large-scale monitoring at high spatial resolution. In this study, we assess the potential to extract LST trends using Landsat 5, 7, and 8 time series. We conduct a comprehensive comparison of both LST and LST trends with data from 119 ground stations of the IMIS network, located at high elevations in the Swiss Alps. The direct comparison of Landsat and IMIS LST yields robust satellite data with a mean accuracy and precision of 0.26 K and 4.68 K, respectively. For LST trends derived from a 22.6-year record length, as imposed by the IMIS data, we obtain a mean accuracy and precision of -0.02 K yr-1 and 0.13 K yr-1, respectively. However, we find that Landsat-LST trends are biased due to unstable diurnal acquisition times, especially for Landsat 5 and 7. Consequently, LST trend maps derived from the 38.5-year Landsat data exhibit systematic variations with topographic slope and aspect that we attribute to changes in direct shortwave radiation between different acquisition times. We discuss the origin of the magnitude and spatial variation of the LST trend bias in comparison with modelled changes in direct shortwave radiation and propose a simple approach to estimate the LST trend bias. After correcting for the LST trend bias, remaining LST trend values average between 0.07 and 0.10 K yr-1. Further, the comparison of Landsat- and IMIS-derived LST trends suggests the existence of a clear-sky bias, with an average value of 0.027 K yr-1. Despite these challenges, we conclude that Landsat LST data offer valuable high-resolution records of spatial and temporal LST variations in mountainous terrain, where monitoring is generally difficult. Our study highlights the significance of understanding and addressing biases in LST trends for reliable monitoring in such challenging terrains.
Investigating the effects of ageing on DNA repair in mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors:   , Frommelt Tom
Published: May 2024

Ageing is associated with declining DNA repair, but the precise mechanism underlying this decline remains unknown. The aim of this project was to utilise mass spectrometry-based proteomics to develop a greater understanding of the age-associated changes that occur in protein expression in response to DNA damage. We confirmed that mesenchymal stromal cells from old donors were less effective than their younger counterparts at repairing DNA damage caused by H2O2. While differences in expression of DNA repair proteins weren’t observed, older cells appeared to undergo a shift in metabolism, a finding that has intriguing implications for ageing research.
Entre el compromiso político y la introspección: Yto Barrada y su perspicaz interpretación poética de su contexto de origen
Authors: Chouati Yassine
Published: May 2024

En este artículo, examinamos cómo las experiencias vitales conforman la conexión de la artista franco-marroquí afincada en Estados Unidos con su entorno a través de la dimensión estética, generando una investigación en la que se entrelazan lo personal y lo político. Al hacerlo, destacamos las estrategias narrativas que surgen del compromiso de Barrada con su ciudad natal, Tánger, y con Marruecos en su conjunto. Estas estrategias como procuraremos demostrar en el presente texto se centran en las desigualdades existentes en los espacios fronterizos, las connotaciones simbólicas del Estrecho de Gibraltar, los desafíos poscoloniales, la puesta en cuestión de la identidad cultural propuesta por el poder y los persistentes legados del colonialismo, descritos por la artista como “los falsos guías”. En definitiva, se trata de una aproximación teórica a un tipo de práctica artística que emerge de la conciencia decolonial y el conocimiento profundo del contexto descrito que se formula con ingenio, humor e ironía.
Evaluation of Hydraulic Conductivity in Upper Krishna Project Command Area of Karnataka
Authors: P Balakrishnan  , MS Shirahatti  , Girish B Deshpande  , RD Barker
Published: May 2024

The study area consists of black soils (Vertisols) with high clay content underlain by bedded limestone located in canal seepage affected zone in Upper Krishna Project command area, Karnataka. In situ measurements on grid basis in the Operational Research Project (ORP) area (180 ha) and aerial estimates using q-h relationships of pipe drains in Phase-I area (14.9 ha) of the above project were obtained and compared. The point K-values varied from 0.004 to 0.559 mid and followed the log normal distribution. The geometric mean (OM) values of K of the ORP and the Phase-I areas were 0.077 and 0.070 mid respectively. The K-contour map was drawn and the vertical as well as radial K values were also computed. The OM areal K values for the entire strata (Ko) and the layer below the drains only (Kb ) ranged from 1.114 to 1.449 mid and from 1.145 to 1.348 mid at 90 per cent confidence limits respectively, indicating that the flow below the drain level was pre-dominant. This observation of much larger areal K-values in comparison with the point measurements as explained by higher discharge was in line with the reported literature and also found to have more practical applicability.
Performance Evaluation of Hydrocyclone Filter for Drip Irrigation- PSD Approach
Authors: M. Damodhara Rao  , K. John Thomas
Published: May 2024

In this study a commercially available hydrocyclone filter of size 20 cm was selected to evaluate its performance in separating the particulate matter by Particle Size Distribution (PSD) approach. The filter was tested with four different concentrations of soil suspension, 300, 600, 900, 1200 mg/l for 10 hrs duration each. The under flow particulate matter was collected at the end of each experiment and it was analysed by standard sieve technique. It was found that the amount of underflow particulate matter having particle size more than 300 microns is almost same for ali inflow concentrations. The amount of finer articles which are less than or equal to 300 microns, decreased with the increase of inflow concentration. The overall results show that the filter may give finer separation of particles of lower concentrations and the separation of coarser particles are same irrespective of the concentration of soil suspension
Dr. Sean Marrett (1960 - 2023): A Life of Joyful Engagement
Authors: Bandettini Peter , Fischl Bruce , Hoge Richard , Gjedde Albert , Evans Alan
Published: May 2024

Dr. Sean Marrett, a treasured neuroscientist and highly engaged member of the international brain mapping community for more than three decades, passed away on December 12, 2023 after a 16 month battle with Mesothelioma. His impact went beyond scientific productivity. He was a friend, colleage, and inspiration to perhaps thousands across disciplines. We briefly summarize his inspiring career and his approach to life in this editorial.
PENGARUH DISIPLIN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN HOTEL HARRIS RIVERVIEW KUTA
Authors: Permana Kadek Bagus Jaya , Sihombing Irene Hanna H. , Diwyarthi Ni Desak Made Santi
Published: May 2024

Kinerja sumber daya manusia yang baik dengan etos kerja yang tinggi akan dapat membantu perusahaan untuk dapat memenuhi target perusahaan tersebut dan membantu perusahaan memperoleh keuntungan, sedangkan bila kinerja karyawan menurun dan buruk maka akan merugikan perusahaan tersebut. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui ada atau tidaknya Pengaruh dari Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Hotel Harris Riverview Kuta. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif . Subjek dari penelitian ini adalah karyawan pada Hotel Harris Reverview Kuta Bali. Jumlah Karyawan sebanyak 45 orang karyawan. sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh karyawan yang berjumlah 45 orang. Teknik analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier sederhana. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data dan pembahasan pada bab sebelumnya, maka dapat ditarik simpulan disiplin kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja karyawan Hotel Harris Riverview Kuta. Berdasarkan pada hasil uji regresi linier sederhana yang dilakukan dengan persamaan regresinya Y = 20,634 + 0,634x. Pengaruh yang diberikan juga berupa pengaruh yang signifikan berdasarkan pada hasil uji t, dengan hasil nilai t hitung 4,214 dan nilai signifikasinya adalah 0,000. Kontribusi pengaruh yang diberikan variabel Disiplin Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan tergolong dalam klasifikasi pengaruh yang lemah yaitu sebesar  29,2%.
Portfolio Management Strategies using Knapsack Programming
Authors: I. A. Joy
Published: May 2024

One of the major tasks in portfolio management is to determine the number of stocks with relatively high net value on the stock market. This work presents a knapsack based portfolio selection model that considers the expected returns, prices and budget. It represents a typical resource allocation model in which limited resource is apportioned among a finite number of stocks. The objective is to maximize an associated return function. The work is implemented for some numerical data to illustrate the application of the model and demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed algorithm. Numerical results have shown that the optimization model yields promising results.
Automation of a Complaint Management System Using RPA
Authors: O. A. Oluwabunmi , K. O. Uthman , B. A. Abdullai , L. S. Adeolu
Published: May 2024

The aim of this research work is to design and implement an improved system which will contribute greatly in providing solutions to evaluate the impact of RPA on the complaint-handling process in a school complaint portal. The proposed Robotic Process Automation for a complaint management system and student registration system can help in saving time and automating repetitive tasks. The complaint management system can instantly allow the admin to create different categories instead of doing it manually which takes a lot of time, compared to the automated process which will get the total number of students and complete it within a few minutes. The student registration system saves the admin the stress of opening the browser and typing the login credentials every time a task needs to be done. The 200 students’ details were generated and turned into an Excel file within 4 minutes compared to the manual method which takes hours to complete.
Fake News Detection System Using Logistic Regression, Decision Tree and Random Forest
Authors: O. A. Oluwabunmi , I. R. Oluwaferanmi , B. A. Abdullai
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is to design a fake news detection system with these three machine learning models, namely: Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression. These three different models were analysed to determine the most efficient model for accurately detecting fake news. The result obtained showcased Logistic Regression with an accuracy of 98.80%, Decision Tree with an accuracy of 99.64% and Random Forest with an accuracy of 99.23%. It is evident as deduction from the comparative analysis that our best model came out to be Decision Tree with an accuracy of 99.64%.
Impact of Foreign Aids on Poverty in Nigeria: A Longitudinal Study (1992–2023)
Authors: N. J. Chinedu
Published: May 2024

Aids for citizens of a country like Nigeria cannot be overlooked. People require financial and other forms of assistance to be able to meet their basic needs. Conversely, the significance of all the assistance received from foreign bodies on households and nonprofit institutions in Nigeria is not clear. The study examined Net Official Development Assistance and Official Aid Received (NAID) and its effect on Households and NPISHs Final Consumption Expenditure (HNFC). The study used time series, relying on secondary data. It used Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) as a unit root test. It further tested the long run relationship among the variables via Johansen co- integration test. Simple regression model equation was adopted for the work. The study revealed that NAID has a significant effect on HNFC. The study concludes that NAID are the predictors and determinants for NAID in Nigeria. The study recommends that more Foreign Aid be encouraged in Nigeria.
EFFECT OF SAQ TRAINING WITH & WITHOUT CARBOHYDRATE SUPPLEMENTATION AMONG ELITE FOOTBALLER'S SPEED
Authors: Nadeem Fahad , Islam Syed Zia Ul , Alamgir Muhammad
Published: May 2024

The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the changes in performance (speed) through SAQ training and carbohydrate supplementation of 08 weeks intervention. The study was conducted in the vicinity of Punjab University, Lahore. Participants (n=16) were selected through the inclusion criteria which included elite footballers and the participants were divided into two groups which were groups (A) and (B). Hypotheses of this study were: H0 1 There is no significant difference between the pre-test of group A (speed) and the pre-test of group B (speed).  Ha 2 There is a significant difference between the pre-test of group A (speed) and the post-test of group A (speed). Ha 3 There is a significant difference between the pre-test of group B (speed) and the post-test of group B (speed). Ha 4 It is hypothesized that there is a significant difference between training with the Supplementation group (A) and Training without the Supplementation group (B). Group (A) was allowed to follow the 08-week exercise plan (intervention) and carbohydrate supplementation. Only group (B) was allowed to follow the 08-week exercise plan (intervention). Descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations were calculated. The inferential statistics and different tests including paired sample t-test and independent samples t-test were applied to calculate the differences in performance of all studied groups. The data was analyzed and evaluated statistically using Version 22 of IBM SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software. The means (with standard deviation) of the speed tests of training with carbohydrate supplementation group (A) and the means (with standard deviation) of the speed tests of training without carbohydrate supplementation group (B) were compared. This study confirms that there was not a significant difference between groups (A) and (B) before training and carbohydrate supplementation. There was a significant difference in speed in, the pre-test of the group (A) compared with the post-test, followed by SAQ Training with carbohydrate supplementation. On the other hand, there was also a significant difference in speed, in the pre-test of group B compared with the post-test, followed by SAQ Training only. The study confirmed that there was a significant change in the speed of footballers' training with carbohydrate supplementation group (A) compared to training without carbohydrate supplementation group (B), after 08 weeks of intervention.
The Impact of Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness on Patients with Septic Shock
Authors:   Department of Intensive Care Unit, People’s Hospital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Kaili City, Guizhou Province 556000, China., Wang Ling , Long Dengyan ,   Department of Intensive Care Unit, People’s Hospital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Kaili City, Guizhou Province 556000, China.
Published: May 2024

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW) on patients with septic shock. Methods: Patients with pneumonia-induced septic shock admitted to our ICU were categorized into ICU-AW and non-ICU-AW groups based on the presence of ICU-AW during their ICU stay. Gender, age, length of stay in ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, sedative dosage, medical charge, and 3-month mortality rate were compared between the two groups. Results: The age, length of stay in ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, midazolam dosage, total medical charge, and mortality rate in ICU-AW group showed higher then nonICU-AW group (t/Z=-2.289, -16.366, -12.857, -7.178, -14.012, 4.687, P<0.05), and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: ICU-AW occurrence in patients with septic shock was associated with increased length of stay in ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, sedative dosage, medical charge, and mortality rate.
Borrelia burgdorferi Basic Membrane Protein A Initiates Arthritis in Tree Shrews
Authors:   Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Public Health and Biosafety, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China., Li Bingxue
Published: May 2024

Borrelia burgdorferi Basic membrane protein A (BmpA) plays a crucial role in mediating immune responses to Lyme arthritis. The aim of this study was to describe manifestations and the main evaluation method on recombinant BmpA (rBmpA) - induced arthritis in tree shrews. We used rBmpA to stimulate knee joint in vivo in tree shrew animals. Arthritis was evaluated by Arthritis index, pathology, expression of proinflammation cytokines. Results showed that the joints of tree shrews appeared swelling, both the scores of arthritis and the number of swelling joints were enhanced The levels of TNF-α and CXCR4 increased in Peripheral blood. Day 7-15 after BmpA injection, the inflammation reached its peak. Histopathology examination showed that the synovium was hyperplasia, arranged irregularly. Our data indicated that the rBmpA-induced tree shrew arthritis may be used as a candidate model for Lyme arthritis pathogenesis and treatment.
Effectiveness of Postnatal Home Visits in Reducing Fatigue Among Mothers with Unplanned Pregnancies
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan., Watanabe Norikazu , Fukase Mika ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan., Tsutsumi Seiji ,   Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan., Sugiyama Akiko ,   Clinical Fellow, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata Saisei Hospital, Japan., Yamanouchi Keiko ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan., Nagase Satoru ,   Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study identified the risk factors for fatigue in child-rearing recognizable in early pregnancy and evaluated the effects of postnatal home visits on parenting fatigue. Methods: Data from 348 mothers who delivered live infants during January–March 2013 in Japan were collected retrospectively. The mothers received the Maternal and Child Health handbook in their first trimester and answered an accompanying questionnaire. For each family, we extracted the timing of postnatal home visits conducted by the Public Health Center. We compared the factors in early pregnancy between exhausted and non-exhausted mothers at nine months postpartum. We also compared the postpartum fatigue between mothers with and without early postnatal home visits. Results: There were significantly more unplanned pregnancies among exhausted mothers compared to mothers who did not experience exhaustion. Among those with unplanned pregnancies, we also found significantly more non-exhausted mothers among those who received postnatal home visits within two months postpartum compared with those who received home visits after two months. Conclusion: An unplanned pregnancy can be a risk factor for fatigue at nine months postpartum. Conducting home visits for mothers who had unplanned pregnancies within two months of delivery may reduce fatigue and positively contribute to mothers’ mental health.
Tripterygium Wilfordii Reduces the Inflammatory Response in Transplant Vasculopathy
Authors:   Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Fijian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, China., Wang Qimin , Su Yanqing ,   Department of Pharmacy, Xiamen Children’s Hospital, Xiamen, 361006, Fujian, China., Ye Yang ,   Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Fijian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001, China., Lu Yao ,   Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
Published: May 2024

Background: Transplant vasculopathy (TV) is the most challenging threat during organ transplantation. The pathological induction of TV results from vascular endothelial cell injury. This study established the in vitro model of TV and investigated the attenuating effect of triptolide (TPL) on TV through multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. Methods: The inflammation model was established by stimulating rat vascular endothelial cells with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Rat vascular endothelial cells were isolated, cultured, and characterized as CD31-positive. For in vivo assays, Wistar and Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into S-S, W-S and W-S-TPL groups. The transplanted arteries were harvested at 1,4, and 8 weeks post-operation. Results: After LPS treatment, the cell viability was significantly reduced, and the IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly elevated, indicating that the LPS-induced in vitro inflammation model was successfully constructed. Nevertheless, the changes in the expression of inflammatory factors and vascular adhesion molecules, as well as the p-p65 levels, which were triggered by LPS, were significantly mitigated upon the stimulation of TPL. Results from rat models showed that intimal thickening was observed in the W-S group and significantly reduced in the TPL-treated group a week after transplantation. Consistent with the in vitro data, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, p-p38, and p-p65 expression was significantly attenuated in the TPL-treated group compared with the W-S group. Conclusion: This work confirmed that TPL may alleviate the progression of allograft vasculopathy and reduce the inflammation process by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65 and p38, which are the key protein of the NF-κB and MAPK pathway, respectively.
Spontaneous splenic rupture associated with influenza B virus
Authors:   Department of HPB Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK., Chavda Rishi , Chavda Vijay ,   Department of HPB Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK., Bhardwaj Neil ,   Department of HPB Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
Published: May 2024

Atraumatic Splenic Rupture (ASR) is rare relative to traumatic cases, being referred to as a spontaneous rupture in the presence of a histologically proven normal spleen. ASR carries with it a risk of mortality which has been reported to be as high as 12.2%, given the life-threatening potential a prompt diagnosis and subsequent management is critical. However, the aetiology of ASR is wide ranging and often and the clinical diagnosis can be obscured by signs and symptoms being attributed to the underlying disease process, thus requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. We present the first documented case of a spontaneous splenic rupture associated with Influenza B virus in English literature.
Pediatric ferromagnetic esophageal foreign body: Retrieval of imbedded grill brush with endoscopic magnet
Authors:   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, USA., Biesel Brittany , Manning T Hunter ,   Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine, USA., Stockton Savannah ,   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, USA., Koehn Heather ,   Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, USA.
Published: May 2024

Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in the pediatric population, and often requires removal in the operating room. Grill brush bristle ingestion is rare, but potentially serious especially if it becomes embedded within the soft tissue.
Para-implant residual cyst: A case report and review of the literature
Authors:   Department of Stomatology II, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain., Mendoza Irene Lafuente-Ibáñez de , Aguirre-Urizar José Manuel ,   Department of Stomatology II, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain., Maeztu-Martínez Mikel ,   Department of Stomatology II, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain., Fassi-Fihri Omar ,   Department of Stomatology II, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain.
Published: May 2024

Residual Cyst (RC) is an odontogenic inflammatory pathology that appears at the site of a previous odontogenic inflammatory lesion. In this report, we present a 65-year-old male, with a history of pulpal pathology in tooth 2.5, which was extracted and treated with dental implants. He currently refers pain in the upper left maxilla with great peri-implant probing depth and marginal bone loss. During the surgical procedure, a para-implant lesion was discovered and sent for analysis. This corresponded to an odontogenic cyst without inflammation and a non-keratinized polystratified epithelial lining, with positive expression for CK14 and CK19. Final diagnosis was para-implant residual cyst. To date, five para-implant residual cysts have been described. These cystic lesions appear as an irregular radiolucency with marginal bone loss. In most cases, the implant remains stable after cyst removal. It is key to perform a good clinical history and radiological examination in patients with dental implants, as well as an active monitoring, in order to reach an early diagnosis of the peri-implant disorders.
Three-dimensional printed models for multidisciplinary flexible nasopharyngoscopy training
Authors:   Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bon Secours Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital 8401 Market St, Boardman-OH 44512, USA., Bayne Kilee , Kepler Thomas ,   Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bon Secours Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital 8401 Market St, Boardman-OH 44512, USA., Pascolini Michael ,   Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bon Secours Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital 8401 Market St, Boardman-OH 44512, USA., Brickman Todd ,   Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bon Secours Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital 8401 Market St, Boardman-OH 44512, USA., Potesta Eugene ,   Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Bon Secours Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital 8401 Market St, Boardman-OH 44512, USA.
Published: May 2024

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a three-dimensional (3-D) printed head and neck model printed from our residency’s small 3D printer for the medical education and training of residents in nasopharyngoscopy. Study design: Survey based study. Setting: Resident education classroom. Methods: Computed tomography images were used to create an anatomically accurate 3-D printed model of the head and neck region. Participants took a pre-training and post-training surveys with an intervention incorporating didactic instruction by fellowship trained Otolaryngologist on how to perform nasopharyngoscopy. Participants Nasopharyngoscopy (FNP) attempts on the model were video recorded, timed and scored by a blinded reviewer with a predefined rubric. Changes in scores and timing of the procedure were evaluated. Results: Twenty-three participants from a single institution Emergency Medicine residency program completed the intervention. There were roughly equal proportions of senior, junior and intern residents. Thirty percent of participants were female. Sixty five percent of residents improved the overall time (in seconds) to identify anatomic landmarks and complete FNP. The participants had a statistically significant improvement in comfortability of performing FNP when comparing pre and post intervention. Conclusion: With increased use of nasopharyngoscopy not only by Otolaryngologist, 3D models of are beneficial to training other specialties less familiar with head and neck anatomy, in a low-pressure environment. Having the basic skills of nasopharyngoscopy will assist in the development of other procedures such as nasotracheal intubation, head/ neck/airway evaluation, etc. for the Emergency Room Department. This can assist in the efficiency of evaluation and treatment of head and neck conditions.
Simultaneous erosion of gastric band into stomach and transverse colon
Authors:   Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA., Corman Benjamin Harris Peterson , Lee Edmund W ,   Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA., Spaniolas Konstantinos ,   Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Published: May 2024

Laparoscopic adjustable banding was previously considered to be the safest and least invasive technique in bariatric surgery in the mid-1990s. It has since been performed less frequently as newer bariatric interventions and surgical techniques, and a fuller understanding of gastric banding complications have been elucidated. Nevertheless, there are a significant number of patients with in situ gastric bands, and cases of significant and unusual complications involving multiple visceral organs must be described and documented in order to enhance providers’ awareness and facilitate early recognition.