bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of intravenous laser blood irradiation on lymphovenous outflow and the state of humoral and cellular immunity in patients with postthrombophlebitic disease of the lower extremities
Authors: Yarovenko G. V. , Katorkin S. E. , Yashkov A. V.
Published: August 2021

Post-thrombophlebitis of lower extremities occurs in 14–29 % of cases and develops within the fi rst two years after the episode of deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities in 20–50 % of patients. Objective: to apply intravenous laser blood irradiation (ILBI) for optimizing outcomes in patients with post-thrombophlebitic disease of their lower extremities. Materials and methods. 52 patients were treated with ILBI. They were randomized into two groups by the following clinical criteria: stage of occlusion – 18 patients (Group 1) and stage of recanalization – 34 patients (Group 2). ILBI course included 7 sessions: irradiation power – 3–15 mW, pulse frequency – 80–3000 Hz, exposure time – 5–15 minutes. Parameters of venous outfl ow and inguinal lymph nodes were monitored by ultrasound examination. Radial immunodiffusion was used to determine levels of IgG, IgM and IgA in blood plasma and serum; turbidimetry – to determine immune complexes; T-lymphocytes – by the receptors to erythrocytes. B-lymphocyte level was monitored with luminescence-serological and complementary rosette formation techniques. Results and discussion. A statistically signifi cant increase in linear and volumetric blood fl ow in great vessels was revealed in both groups. In Group 1, linear blood fl ow in the great saphenous vein increased by 5.2 %; volumetric blood fl ow increased up to 113.0 ± 2.14 mL/min (p < 0.01). In Group 2, volumetric blood fl ow slowed down by 4.1 %. Lymph nodes contracted statistically signifi cantly; the medullary layer narrowed up to 0.32 ± 0.05 cm (p < 0.05), level of IgG, IgM and CIC decreased; number of T-lymphocytes increased up to 60.2 ± 1.7 % (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The revealed effects of intravenous laser blood irradiation at the venous outfl ow, lymph nodes and humoral and cellular immunity in patients with post-thrombophlebitic disease of lower extremities give a reason to recommend the implementation of the discussed technique into a wide clinical practice.
Efecto del manejo farmacológico del sistema nervioso autónomo en la pancreatitis aguda inducida por el veneno de escorpión Tityus zulianus en un modelo ex vivo
Authors: Saravia Cruces Katiuska María , Lippo de Bécemberg Itala América , Trejo Ernesto José , Alfonzo Rosas Marcelo , Zury Domínguez Zury
Published: August 2021

Introducción: La pancreatitis es una de las consecuencias principales del envenenamiento escorpiónico producido por el género Tityus. El manejo farmacológico mediante el uso de agonistas y antagonistas α adrenérgicos en modelos experimentales in vivo e in vitro, permiten establecer una aproximación del papel del Sistema Nervioso Simpático (SNS) en el desarrollo de la pancreatitis. Objetivo: determinar el papel del SNS en el desarrollo de la pancreatitis aguda inducida por el veneno de escorpión Tityus zulianus (TzV), por medio del uso de simpaticolíticos como la clonidina y el prazosin. Métodos: La Extravasación de Proteínas Plasmáticas (EPP) en el páncreas se evaluó mediante el método de Azul de Evans (AE), modificado de Saria y Lundberg (1983) a 620 nm; n=3 ratones NIH en cada grupo experimental. Las comparaciones se hicieron por ANOVA de una vía y las pruebas post HOC por Tukey-Kramer. Resultados: Ambos fármacos (1mg/Kg), disminuyeron significativamente p< 0,01 (**) la EPP en el páncreas inducida por el TzV, en comparación con los animales inoculados solo con TzV. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los animales del grupo control y los grupos tratados con los fármacos más el TzV. Conclusiones: El efecto pancreatotóxico del TzV en ratones podría tener un componente autonómico dado que drogas simpaticolíticas al disminuir la actividad noradrenérgica reducen la magnitud del edema. Esto sugiere que ambos fármacos pueden usarse como estrategia terapéutica en estos casos.
Lipid Profiles in Primary Aldosteronism Compared with Essential Hypertension: Propensity-Score Matching Study
Authors: Moon Sun Joon , Jang Han Na , Kim Jung Hee , Moon Min Kyong
Published: August 2021

Background: There has been controversy regarding the association between primary aldosteronism (PA) and dyslipidemia and few studies considered the effects of diabetes and renal function on lipid metabolism. We analyzed lipid profiles of PA patients and compared them to propensity-score (PS)-matched essential hypertension (EH) patients adjusting for glycemic status and renal function.Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with PA using a saline-infusion test at Seoul National University Hospital from 2000 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. EH patients who had aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) results were selected as controls. Covariates, including diabetes, were PS-matched for patients with PA, lateralized PA, non-lateralized PA, and high ARR to EH patients, respectively.Results: Among a total of 80 PA and 80 EH patients, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly lower in the PA patients than in the EH patients (least-squares mean±standard error: 185.5±4.4 mg/dL vs. 196.2±4.4 mg/dL, P=0.047, for TC; and 132.3±11.5 mg/dL vs. 157.4±11.4 mg/dL, P=0.035, for TG) in fully adjusted model (adjusting for multiple covariates, including diabetes status, glycosylated hemoglobin level, and estimated glomerular filtration rate). There were no significant differences in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between the two groups. According to increments in aldosterone levels, an increasing tendency of HDL-C and decreasing tendencies of TG and non-HDL-C were observed.Conclusion: PA patients had lower TC and TG levels than EH patients, independent of glycemic status and renal function.
Antibiotic susceptibility pattern against pathogenic bacteria causing Dental Caries
Authors: Dwivedi Deepak , Kushwah Tejram , Kushwah Mukesh , Singh Vinod
Published: August 2021

Antibiotics to treat dental caries infection are routinely prescribed which led to the increased resistance against bacteria. The purpose of this investigation was to perform antibiotic susceptibility tests on a panel of pathogenic bacteria isolated from dental caries infection. Bacteria were isolated from caries site of patients and identified at the species level. Each of 150 species of bacteria was tested for antibiotics susceptibility to a five antibiotics using Etest. The antibiotics used were Amoxicillin, Cloxocillin, Erythromycin, Tetracycline and PenicillinÃ¢â‚¬ÂV. The obtained resistance percentage for each antibiotic
were Penicillin V: 72/150 (48%), Tetracycline: 99/150 (66%), Amoxicillin: 135/150 (90%), Cloxocillin: 117/150 (78%), and Erythromycin: 90/150 (60%) (Table 1). In case of combinatorial antibiotic exposure, the resistance percentage of Penicillin V/Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin/ Erythromycin was 39/150
(26%), and 45/150 (30%) respectively. The study has well demonstrated the
clinical picture of antibiotic resistance and susceptibility pattern of bacteria causing dental caries. The obtained comprehensive data will allow investigating the spatial distribution of pathogenic, antibiotic resistant bacteria among
dental caries patients which further may help into development of novel diagnostic and treatment approaches for the same.
Compatibility of Pasteuria penetrans with fungal parasite Paecilomyces lilacinus against root knot nematode on Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Chaudhary K.K. , Kaul R. K.
Published: August 2021

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) crop is highly susceptible for the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and every year this nematode causes great loss to the crop. The present study investigated the cumulative effect of two biocontrol agents viz. Pasteuria penetrans and Paecilomyces lilacinus against M. incognita. Two doses of P. penetrans i.e. 50g/Kg and 100g/Kg infested soil were applied either alone or in combination with two doses of P. lilacinus i.e. 4g spore culture/Kg and 6g spore culture/Kg of soil. Application of P. penetrans with P. lilacinus resulted into relatively better improvement in various growth attributes of chilli when compared with the individual application. Amongst the various treatments tested combined application with the
higher dose of both bioagents (i.e. 100g P. penetrans infested soil with 6g of P. lilacinus/Kg) showed maximum improvement in fresh and dry weight of shoot and root over the nematode check and it was almost at par with that of the absolute check. The combined application of both the bioagents at higher dose resulted in 139 and 84% increase in dry weight of shoot and root over the nematode check respectively. The combined application of both the bioagents was also observed to cause higher reduction in gall number and nematode population than their individual application except for the treatment having lower dose of the P. penetrans with P. lilacinus where reduction in both the parameters was observed to be at par with that of the either dose of P. penetrans or higher dose of P. lilacinus. Combined application with higher dose of P. penetrans and P. lilacinus showed maximum reduction of 62.6 and 82.2% in gall numbers and nematode population over the nematode
check.
Impact of social factors in adoption of CSR BIO - A cost effective, eco-friendly bio-growth enhancer for sustainable crop production
Authors: Damodaran T. , Rai R. B. , Jha S. K. , Sharma D. K. , Mishra V. K. , Dhama K. , Singh A. K. , Sah V.
Published: August 2021

Comparative evaluation and survey on adoption and profitability of existing crop production system evidences problems of higher input cost, low productivity, diminishing profitability and lower cost:benefit ratio in the field conditions than expected. To overcome these problems, a cost effective bio-formulation CSR BIO was developed using dynamic microbial consortia cultured in patented dynamic nutrient media under the World Bank funded National Agricultural Innovation Project. The bio-formulation  intervened in the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh  played an unique role in increasing income and productivity among adopters. Most of the technologies fail due to improper diffusion process and lack of adoption study to assess their performance. Therefore, the current study looked into the adoption profile of the CSR BIO, a bio growth enhancer, and assesses the relation with  critical factors  influencing  adoption intensity using logistic regression model through  survey data obtained from 2010 to 2013.  Results showed an overall average adoption percentage of 68.61 % over the study period. The adoption percentage increased with the year of intervention which signified the success of the technology and got stabilized at 83.00 % in the year 2013. The major factors which have strongly influenced the adoption process were the level of training, land holding capacity and occupation of the target users. Small land holders with agriculture as major occupation who had received trainings, adopted more intensively than the others. The results of this study furthermore indicated that advancing the knowledge diffusion process of the cost effective technology  would be useful in developing  extension  strategies  for novel low cost technologies.
In vitro evaluation of inhibitory activity of Probiotic Lactobacilli against Candida species isolated from the vaginal flora of Immunocompro-mised Patients
Authors: Rajawat Asha Singh , Shrivastava Vivek , Shrivastava Archana , Singh Vinod
Published: August 2021

Diabetes is a proven predisposing factor for vulvovaginal candidiasis, along with pregnancy, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, oral contraceptive, obesi-ty etc. For the treatment of candidiasis, imidazole drugs are effective; how-ever, due to the intrinsic or acquired resistance of Candida species to these imidazoles, and their side effects, infections by Candida species may necessi-tate alternative treatment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of some probiotic Lactobacilli from commercial products against Candida species isolated from vagina of 55 diabetic women. Samples were processed on Sabouraud dextrose agar media. After incubation for 24h at 370C, the yeast like colonies were characterized and identified with gram staining, standard carbohydrate assimilation test and growth in differential culture media Hi-chrom agar. Four Candida species were isolated viz. Can-dida krusei, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. Out of them the C.krusei (33%) was prevalent in asymptomatic patients, while C.albicanse (48%) in symptomatic vaginal infection of diabetic patients. Pro-biotic Lactobacillus species were isolated from commercially available prod-ucts like Bion, Ecobion, Powell and curd and identified by morphological and biochemical test. Antifungal activity of probiotics Lactobacillus species isolat-ed from curd shown with the mean zone of diameter (mm) of inhibition and the SD was found to be 23.21±5.74 against Candida species. Therefore, it is visualized that probiotics can be used as a treatment or co-treatment of vul-vovaginal candidiasis of diabetic women and improves their life value.
Influence of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content on the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Costus speciosus (Koen Ex. Retz.) Sm.
Authors: Borkataky M. , Kakoti B. B. , Saikia L. R.
Published: August 2021

The focus of the present study was to determine the association of the anti-oxidant activity of Costus speciosus (Koen Ex. Retz.) Sm. with the total phe-nolic content and the total flavonoid content. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was quantified by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method and the total flavonoid content was determined by the aluminium chloride method. Among the four extracts of the plant, the ethanol extract exhibited the high-est antioxidant activity and also the highest total phenolic and flavonoid con-tents. A strong correlation was observed between the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. A statistical model was de-rived to explain this dependence and a non-linear association was observed between the antioxidant activity and the total flavonoid content.
EDITORIAL: Special Issue on â€œRecent Advances in Biodegradation, Sanitation, and Bioremediationâ€
Authors: Chatterjee Soumya , Meghvansi Mukesh Kumar , Veer Vijay
Published: August 2021

Currently, India is considered as one of the fastest developing countries with impressive macroeconomic statistics. Waste generation and its con-sequences is invariably linked with the develop-mental activities, health related issues and industrial progress. According to UNICEF, almost half the population of India (around 595 million people), defecate in the open. India accounts for 90 per cent of the people in South Asia and 59 per cent of the 1.1 billion people in the world who practise open defecation and thereby contributing nearly 65,000 tonnes of faeces into the environment each day (http://unicef.in/Whatwedo/11/Eliminate-Open-Defecation). Open defecation in India, poses a very serious threat to the health and hygiene issues, especially to the children.Keeping in view the need for looking into the scientific and technical advancements in the field of biodegrada-tion and sanitation, in 16-17 December 2014, DRL organized a national conference on “Recent Advances in Biodegradation of Human Wastes”. Sub-sequently, it was decided to bring some of the high quality technical papers presented during the conference, into a form of proceedings as a journal special issue. This issue contains a total of twelve articles.The editors take this opportunity to convey their sincere thanks to all the contributors for submitting their exciting research or review work for bringing the conference proceedings as special journal is-sue. The financial support provided by the DRDO and the DBT, Govt of India is also gratefully acknowledged. We sincerely believe that this syn-thesis of scientific information on biodegradation, sanitation and bioremediation shall be useful for the researchers and policy makers associated with solid waste management.
Ethnobotanical survey of an -diabe c plants applied in West of Algeria
Authors: Boudjelthia W Kouadri , Hammadi K , Kouidri M , Noui A , Djebli N
Published: August 2021

This study was carried out in order to set up an inventory list of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes for which an ethnobotanical test was carried out on 670 diabe c subjects in the Western region of Algeria (Chlef, Mostaganem, Mascara, Oran, Sidi-bel-Abbes, Saida and Tiaret) using a survey. 24 an hyperglycemic medicinal plants were listed of which Berberis vulgaris, Zygophyllum geslini, Erythraea centaurium and Olea eu- ropea represented a broad spectrum of use. Likewise, the an hyperglycemic recipes were prepared mainly in decoc on (45.37%) and infusion (39.62%), and from leaves (42%) and aerial parts (16%). A very valuable data base has been reported for further research, especially for some elds such as phytochemistry and phytopharmacology that aim to identify new natural principles.
Macroeconomic sensitivity and firm level volatility: the case of New York Stock Exchange
Authors: Bashir Butt Muhammad Saqib , Mohd. Taib Hasniza
Published: August 2021

Purpose – This paper investigates whether the macroeconomic factors affect the firm stock returns volatility differently depending on their location in different sectors. For this purpose, daily financial time-series data for 683 firms located in nine US sectors for the period of 2000 to 2017 are employed.
Research methodology – The GARCH (1,1) model was applied to each firm located in nine US sectors. The four macroeconomic factors, namely, exchange rate, treasury yield spread, oil prices, and market return, are included in both mean and variance equations of GARCH (1,1) model to estimate the effect.
Research limitations – This research study is limited to the New York Stock Exchange; therefore, it can be extended to the other economies as well. Further, this study uses one firm feature that is the sectoral location of the firm; it is recommended that some other firm features should be studied to explore the volatility behaviour of firms. In the methodological part, this study does not include the lag effect, since it is recognised in the literature that the investors underreact to public information, so future research can be extended to test the underreaction hypothesis.
Practical implications – This study has implications for the investors and policymakers. Since it has emerged from the findings that some sectors are more sensitive than others to macroeconomic changes, so this knowledge will help the investors to diversify their portfolio and policymakers to maintain macroeconomic discipline.
Originality/Value – The main contribution of this study is that it undertakes the assumption of heterogeneous nature of firms and conducts a detailed firm level analysis by sector covering a more extended period of time to investigate the impact of four macroeconomic factors, namely, exchange rate, treasury yield spread, oil prices, and market return on firm stock returns, volatility using daily data. Further, this study contributes by including all the macroeconomic factors together as an exogenous variable in mean and conditional variance equations of the GARCH (1,1) model to investigate the effect simultaneously.
An Evocative Image of the Moon from Lick Observatory
Authors: Smith Graeme H. , Burkert Joshua
Published: August 2021

The provenance of a singular picture of the nearside of the Moon made at Lick Observatory is discussed.
Myrsidea quadrifasciata (Phthiraptera: Amblycera) – a unique host generalist among highly host-specific chewing lice
Authors: Sychra Oldrich , Kolencik Stanislav , Papousek Ivo , Bilbija Branka , Literak Ivan
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Ten species of the louse genusMyrsideabelonging to the “serini-species-group” have been reviewed. A redescription ofMyrsidea quadrifasciata(Piaget, 1880), the earliest described and valid species of this species complex, is given and a neotype for this species is designated. Nine new junior synonymies ofM. quadrifasciataare proposed and discussed. The new synonyms and their respective type hosts are:Myrsidea anoxanthiPrice and Dalgleish, 2007 fromLoxipasser anoxanthus(Gosse, 1847),Myrsidea argentina(Kellogg, 1906) fromSpinus magellanicus(Vieillot, 1805),Myrsidea balatiMacháček, 1977 fromPasser montanus(Linnaeus, 1758),Myrsidea darwiniPalma and Price, 2010 fromGeospiza fuliginosaGould, 1837,Myrsidea major(Piaget, 1880) fromPlectrophenax nivalis(Linnaeus, 1758),Myrsidea serini(Séguy, 1944) fromSerinus serinus(Linnaeus, 1766),Myrsidea queleaeTendeiro, 1964 fromQuelea quelea lathami(Smith, A., 1836),Myrsidea textorisKlockenhoff, 1984 fromPloceus cucullatus cucullatus(Müller, 1776), andMyrsidea viduaeTendeiro, 1993 fromVidua macroura(Pallas, 1764). Intraspecific morphometric variability, relative genetic divergence (based on a 379 bp portion of the mitochondrialCOIgene and a 347 bp portion of the nuclearEF-1αgene), geographical distribution, and host associations, including 8 new host records for these lice, are discussed. Taking into consideration these parameters we suggest that the only way to deal with these taxa is to follow concept of subspecies with the following taxa and their geographic distributon: Palearctic Region:M. q. quadrifasciataandM. q. serini, Neotropical Region:M. q. anoxanthi,M. q. argentina,M. q. darwini, Paleotropic Region:M. q. queleae,M. q. textorisandM. q. viduae.
Le procès de l’ Anschluss en 1947
Authors: Vincent Marie-Bénédicte
Published: August 2021

En 1947 s’ouvre devant le tribunal du peuple de Vienne le procès de Guido Schmidt, l’ex-ministre des Affaires étrangères de l’Autriche lors de l’ Anschluss en 1938. Ce procès, dans le contexte de dénazification du pays, est l’occasion pour l’Autriche libérée de revenir sur le cours pro-allemand adopté depuis 1936 par le gouvernement du chancelier Schuschnigg. Paradoxalement, il aboutit à conforter la thèse du pays victime de Hitler. Le présent article tente une histoire croisée de ce procès, analysé par le représentant de la France à Vienne alors que débute la guerre froide, la France étant tout à la fois puissance occupante en Autriche, soumise elle-même à une épuration sur son sol et interrogée dans ses propres responsabilités diplomatiques face aux coups de force hitlériens.
André Blumel, gardien de la mémoire de Léon Blum leader socialiste
Authors: Nadaud Éric
Published: August 2021

Après la mort de Léon Blum, André Blumel, son ancien directeur de cabinet, s’impose comme l’un des principaux gardiens de sa mémoire, mais aussi comme le plus singulier. C’est en socialiste de gauche unitaire devenu dissident de la SFIO qu’il mène son travail de mémoire, ainsi que, paradoxalement, en ami sincère. Il lui faut se situer par rapport à l’histoire, de même que par rapport aux autres porteurs de la mémoire de Blum à gauche, la Société des amis de Léon Blum, les dissidents socialistes de gauche de sa propre sensibilité et les communistes. Il constitue ainsi un excellent observatoire de ce champ mémoriel méconnu, dont il est l’un des acteurs les plus en vue avant d’en devenir l’un des fédérateurs.
Existence and general decay of Balakrishnan-Taylor viscoelastic equation with nonlinear frictional damping and logarithmic source term
Authors: Al-Gharabli Mohammad , Balegh Mohamed , Feng Baowei , Hajjej Zayd , Messaoudi Salim A.
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we consider a Balakrishnan-Taylor viscoelastic wave equation with nonlinear frictional damping and logarithmic source term. By assuming a more general type of relaxation functions, we establish explicit and general decay rate results, using the multiplier method and some properties of the convex functions. This result is new and generalizes earlier results in the literature.
Global existence and stability of the classical solution to a density-dependent prey-predator model with indirect prey-taxis
Authors: Luo Yong ,   Department of Applied Mathematics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
Published: August 2021

We study the existence of global unique classical solution to a density-dependent prey-predator population system with indirect prey-taxis effect. With two Lyapunov functions appropriately constructed, we then show that the solution can asymptotically approach prey-only state or coexistence state of the system under suitable conditions. Moreover, linearized analysis on the system at these two constant steady states shows their linear instability criterion. By numerical simulation we find that some density-dependent prey-taxis and predators' diffusion may either flatten the spatial one-dimensional patterns which exist in non-density-dependent case, or break the spatial two-dimensional distribution similarity which occurs in non-density-dependent case between predators and chemoattractants (released by prey).
A nonlinear diffusion equation with reaction localized in the half-line
Authors: Ferreira Raúl ,   Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain, de Pablo Arturo ,   Departamento de Matemáticas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Leganés, Spain
Published: August 2021

We study the behaviour of the solutions to the quasilinear heat equation with a reaction restricted to a half-line

   \begin{document}$ u_t = (u^m)_{xx}+a(x) u^p, $\end{document}

$ m, p > 0 $ and $ a(x) = 1 $ for $ x > 0 $, $ a(x) = 0 $ for $ x < 0 $. We first characterize the global existence exponent $ p_0 = 1 $ and the Fujita exponent $ p_c = m+2 $. Then we pass to study the grow-up rate in the case $ p\le1 $ and the blow-up rate for $ p > 1 $. In particular we show that the grow-up rate is different as for global reaction if $ p > m $ or $ p = 1\neq m $.
Hybrid Warfare
Authors: Beraia Eka
Published: August 2021

As NATO systematically addresses new hybrid challenges, the alliance identifies the urgent need of collaborative actions and argues whether hybrid warfare might be beneficial for strategists and decision makers in outlining future plans to deal with the hybrid threats that can emerge from nowhere in our reality. This chapter will review the hybrid warfare not only as the unique combinational threats created particularly to defeat an adversary but also a contemporary feature of global politics which are mostly associated with non-state actors (such as terrorist groups) and also will highlight the aspects that cause asymmetric conflicts.
The European Union's Foreign Policy Future
Authors: Place Joseph Jack , Tindall Callum
Published: August 2021

This chapter answers if the European Union should create a unified military force. The European Union currently faces problems both internally and also an unstable European neighbourhood. There are different theoretical perspectives on how Europe can and should perceive its role in the world. The chapter addresses these views, considers the relationship of the EU and NATO, and then comes to assess some of the issues the EU faces on its borders and in its neighbourhood, namely the refugee crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. It then outlines if a European military could help the EU achieve better peace than the current situation. This chapter argues that the European Union needs to adopt a military in order to better achieve its goals of liberalisation and democratisation on its borders; however, it should be a last resort. There are also considerable practical matters to address to ensure that the EU military can be effective as a stabilising and peacekeeping force and doesn't undermine the very liberal goals the EU aims to follow.
Recycled Plastics as an Alternative Carbon Nanotubes Source by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Dlova Sisanda , Ayeleru Olusola Olaitan , Adams Feyisayo Victoria , Mamo Messai A. , Olubambi Peter Apata
Published: August 2021

In this study, therefore, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared on account of morphology, particle size and thermal properties of CNTs from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste and polypropylene (PP) using pyrolysis in the presence of Fe/Mn/Al catalyst. A comparison between the produced CNTs and commercially available CNTs was conducted to analyse if any deviations exist between both products. It was discovered that The commercial CNTs properties have similarities with the MWCNTs produced from plastic wastes. These materials were found to differ in purity with 1% error. The structures and morphologies of these materials are comparable as they were found to be crystalline and they revealed lattice fringes. They differ by the planes in the structural orientation. The MWCNTs synthesized from plastic wastes showed low thermal stability as opposed to the commercial CNTs.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Magnetohydrodynamic Third Grade Fluid Flow with Variable Properties
Authors: Thosago Kgomotshwana Frans , Rundora Lazarus , Adesanya Samuel Olumide
Published: August 2021

This article aims to computationally study entropy generation in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) third grade ﬂuid ﬂow in a horizontal channel with impermeable walls. The ﬂuids viscosity and thermal conductivity are assumed to be dependent on temperature. The ﬂow is driven by an applied uniform axial pressure gradient between inﬁnite parallel plates and is considered to be incompressible, steady and fully developed. Adomian decomposition method (ADM) is used to obtain series solutions of the nonlinear governing equations. Thermodynamic analysis is done by computing the entropy generation rate and the irreversibility ratio (Bejan number). The effects of the various pertinent embedded parameters on the velocity ﬁeld, temperature ﬁeld, entropy generation rate and Bejan number are analysed through vivid graphical manipulations. The analysis shows that an appropriate combination of thermophysical parameters efﬁciently achieves entropy generation minimization in the thermomechanical system. The analysis shows that entropy generation minimization is achieved by increasing the magnetic ﬁeld and the third grade material parameters, and therefore designs and processes incorporating MHD third grade ﬂuid ﬂow systems are far more likely to give optimum and efﬁcient performance.
Performance Change in Superplasticizers after Thermal Stimulation
Authors: Takigawa Mizuki , Katsuoka Nana , Hashimoto Shin Ichiro , Date Shigeyuki
Published: August 2021

Polycarboxylic acid-based superplasticizers are used for all types of concrete, but it is not well known that their fundamental performance changes with heating. Previous research confirmed that the superplasticizer storage environment changes its physical properties, which in turn changes the fluidity and workability of concrete or mortar. Therefore, this study confirmed the thermal stimulation effect on polycarboxylic acid-based and other superplasticizers and also confirmed the mechanism of polymer “entanglement” using superplasticizers that were centrifuged to simulate long-term storage. Based on the results, it was confirmed that the change in physical properties due to the change in environmental temperature is specific to polycarboxylic acid-based superplasticizers. It was also confirmed that centrifugal treatment of the superplasticizer slightly decreased its performance but increased the effect of thermal stimulation.
The Effectiveness of TiO2-Loaded Air-Cathode in a Floating Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Kubota Wataru , Nguyen Dang Trang , Taguchi Kozo
Published: August 2021

This study shows the effectiveness of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on a floating microbial fuel cell (FMFC). In the experiment, when a UV cutoff filter attached halogen lamp was used, the power density of the FMFC using pristine TiO₂ (P25) and the FMFC using TiO₂ sintered at 650 °C were was 2.11mW/m2 and 10.44 mW/m2 respectively. Next, when measured without UV cutoff filter, pristine TiO₂ type FMFC and 650°C sintered TiO₂ type FMFC recorded 2.93 mW/m2 and 11.93 mW/m2 respectively. From this result, it was confirmed that the power density was improved up to five times when the UV cutoff filter was used and four times when it was not used. According to the results of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), 650°C sintered TiO₂ is composed of more rutile phase than pristine TiO₂.
Mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 Core Shell Spheres for Light Scattering Layer in the Photoande of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Iwai Toshiki , Nguyen Dang Trang , Taguchi Kozo
Published: August 2021

Mesoporous SiO2@TiO2 (MP-SiO2@TiO2) core-shell particles were fabricated using mesoporous SiO2 particles as a template in order to improve scattering performance and dye adsorption performance of the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). They were used to make the scattering layer of the photoanode. Commercially available submicron TiO2 particles G1 that have the same particle size as the fabricated SiO2@TiO2 particles were also used to make the scattering layer to compare the photoelectric properties of the DSSC. The DSSC with the photoanode without a scattering layer generated a conversion efficiency of 1.54 %. By introducing a scattering layer composed of MP-SiO2@TiO2 to the photoanode, the conversion efficiency was improved to 2.82 %. In addition, the DSSC with the scattering layer composed of MP-SiO2@TiO2 generated higher conversion efficiency than that of the DSSC with the scattering layer composed of G1 (2.35 %). From these results, MP-SiO2@TiO2 particles produced a high performance as scatterers in the photoanode of DSSCs.
RETRACTED: Corrosion Inhibition Effect of Neem Leaf Oil Distillates on Low Carbon Steel in Dilute HСl and NH4Cl Acid Media
Authors: Loto Roland Tolulope , Akpanyung Kingsley
Published: August 2021

Retracted article: Neem leaf oil distillates (NLD) was evaluated for its corrosion inhibition properties on low carbon steel in 0.5 M HCl, 1 M HCl, 3.74 M NH4Cl and 5.61 M NH4Cl solutions. Weight loss analysis shows NLD performed effectively at all concentrations studied in HCl media with optimal inhibition efficiencies of 97.54% and 97.56% at 5% NLD concentrations. NLD performed poorly at 1-4% NLD concentration in 3.74 M and 5.61 M NH4Cl solutions with protection performance values below 50%. At 5% NLD concentration the protection performance values increased sharply to 78.53% and 79.0% at 312 h of exposure. Standard deviation values for NLD protection performance output in 0.5 M HCl solution were significantly high indicating highly unstable inhibition behavior and thermodynamic tendency to corrode with respect to exposure time. At 5% NLD concentration the standard deviation value decreased significantly. In 1 M HCl, 3.74 M NH4Cl and 5.61 M NH4Cl solutions the standard deviation values were relatively low due to improved stability of protonated NLD molecules in interaction with the steel surface. Experimental data showed 92.44%, 100%, 30.77% and 20% of NLD protection performance data from 0.5 M HCl, 1 M HCl, 3.74 M NH4Cl and 5.61 M NH4Cl solutions are above 70% inhibition value with margin of error of +7.99, +0, +11.22 and +9.72. Statistical data from analysis of variance showed exposure time dominates the performance output of NLD distillate on low carbon steel from 0.5 M HCl and 1 M HCl at values of 81.76% and 82.03% compared to the effect of NLD concentration which were negligible. In NH4Cl solution, NLD concentration dominates the protection performance output of NLD on the carbon steel compared to exposure time with values of 96.42% and 96.95%.
Compressive Strength of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) Containing Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)
Authors: Abdul Razak Taqarra Khalida Audi , Kudus Sakhiah Abdul , Jamadin Adiza , Suliman Nurul Huda
Published: August 2021

This study provides the opening on the needs to save the Earth in the aspect of construction industry by limiting the usage of resources the Earth provided such as rocks and aggregates and instead, maximizing the use of wastage in concrete design. Meanwhile, palm oil industry is the biggest commercial industry in Malaysia. This eventually leads to contributing the highest wastage produced in Malaysia such as palm oil mill effluent (POME); being one of its wastage. Thus, the first study on POME in UHPC was conducted. A selected percentage of 1%, 3% and 5% of POME were chosen to be added in UHPC to be mixed with other components of making concrete and casted into 100mm x 100mm x 100mm cubes. The specimens were tested for slump and compression; tested for 28 days. Results revealed that the workability of the specimens was high and an increase of early development of compressive strengths at day 3. The strengths then dropped at day 7 and stayed constant until day 28. This is due to characteristics of POME that causes pozzolanic reaction in UHPC to react differ than other waste materials that act as silica, in which the POME caused depleting of strength as longer time curing were objected to the specimens. In conclusion, a relationship was obtained; high workability of fresh concretes result to high compressive strength by considering two factors which are the percentage of POME addition into UHPC and dilution effect – curing days.
Rotational-Moulded Building Blocks for the Circular Economy
Authors: Cestari Sibele Piedade , Martin Peter , Hanna Paul , Kearns Mark , Mendes Luis Claudio
Published: August 2021

Throughout the combination of unique approaches on innovative polymer composites and rotational moulding plastics processing technique, we developed a building block using a mix of recycled and virgin plastic. This block was a technical case study from a multidisciplinary approach - comprising materials science, polymers processing and design - to reinsert recycled plastics in the Circular Economy. The aim was to produce a three-dimensional interlockable block, combining unique design and unconventional materials to create an emblematic building element. We investigated the composition and availability of local plastic waste, as well as other waste-stream materials – concrete waste, red mud, hemp fibre, sugarcane bagasse. We prepared a range of composites and blends to test their prospective aspect and processability. To simulate the end-result of a rotationally-moulded part, we prepared samples of the blends in an oven. The thermal analysis showed that all materials were thermally stable at the processing temperature of the virgin polymer in rotomoulding, around 200 °C. There were an evident LLDPE continuous-phase and a recyclate dispersed-phase. We also explored the aesthetic effect of scattering particles of colour in the mixes. The impact test showed better results for the polyethylene-based recyclates if compared to polypropylene and poly (ethylene terephthalate) ones. We concluded that waste materials could be revalued into something practical and reproducible, produced by rotational moulding plastics processing. And we developed a viable and innovative potential product for the Circular Economy, requiring minimal fixing and no further external finishing.
Effect of Low-Temperature Aging on Thermally-Induced Phase Transformation of NiTi Wire with a Wide Range of Grain Sizes
Authors: Zhao Zhi Hao , Lin Jian Ping , Min Jun Ying , Hou Yong , Sun Bo
Published: August 2021

Thermally-induced phase transformation (PT) is of significance and value to the application of NiTi alloy components. Low-temperature aging (LTA) treatment was used to alter PT characteristics of NiTi alloys avoiding undesirable grain growth. Effect of LTA on PT of NiTi wires with a wide range of grain sizes from 34 nm to 8021 nm was investigated in this study. As the average grain size varies from 34 to 217 nm, the temperature of the B2↔R transformation increase as a result of LTA, and the increasing effect is more obvious at a larger grain size. For NiTi alloys with average grain sizes ranging from 523 to 1106 nm, transformation sequence changes from B2↔B19' to B2↔R due to LTA. For the sample with an average grain size of 2190 nm, the B2↔B19' transformation is replaced by B2↔R←B19' after LTA. When the average grain size is larger than 2190 nm, transformation sequence changes from B2↔B19' to B2↔R↔B19' after LTA. Transmission emission microscope observations reveal that the above-mentioned PT behavior correlates with the coupled effect of grain size and precipitation. The precipitation of Ni4Ti3 in the grains with a size smaller than ~150 nm is inhibited after LTA, the temperature of B2→R of samples with average GS smaller than ~150 nm still is elevated due to the inhomogeneous grain size of NiTi wires.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine in Sub-Saharan Africa and Brics Nations
Authors: Tapera Roy , Singh Yashik
Published: August 2021

The advances in eHealth have dramatically changed the face of healthcare delivery around the world, with Sub-Saharan Africa being no exception. It is essential to identify the prominent, emerging researchers, successful areas of research within the field of health informatics (HI) and telemedicine (TM) to be duplicated where there is a need. This study gives a bibliometric overview of original research articles on medical informatics and telemedicine indexed in Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct over the last 20 years in sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords related to health informatics and telemedicine were used to retrieve relevant literature. We specifically analyzed the evolution, standard metrics, domains of medical informatics (MI) and TM in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRIC) nations. Our results identified mhealth as the main field of research in telemedicine that has seen significant growth in both BRIC and SSA nations and is poised to be the focus of research activity in the near future. Research production in mhealth and telemedicine showed a considerable increase from 1999–2018. The production was dominated by articles from South Africa in Africa and China from the BRIC nations. Most prolific authors have resources and are leaders of health informatics projects. The production came from 26 sub-Saharan African countries, denoting this field's devotion in different areas around sub-Sahara. Research in mhealth needs to be encouraged, mostly in the fight against infectious and non-infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, where technology can improve health services and decrease disease burden.
Interpreting Clinical Reaction Time Change and Recovery After Concussion: A Baseline Versus Norm-Based Cutoff Score Comparison
Authors: Caccese Jaclyn B. , Eckner James T. , Franco-MacKendrick Lea , Hazzard Joseph B. , Ni Meng , Broglio Steven P. , McAllister Thomas W. , McCrea Michael A. , Pasquina Paul F. , Buckley Thomas A.
Published: August 2021

Context

Preseason testing can be time intensive and cost prohibitive. Therefore, using normative data for postconcussion interpretation in lieu of preseason testing is desirable.

Objective

To establish the recovery trajectory for clinical reaction time (RTclin) and assess the usefulness of changes from baseline (comparison of postconcussion scores with individual baseline scores) and norm-based cutoff scores (comparison of postconcussion scores with a normative mean) for identifying impairments postconcussion.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Multisite clinical setting.

Patients or Other Participants

An overlapping sample of 99 participants (age = 19.0 ± 1.1 years) evaluated within 6 hours postconcussion, 176 participants (age = 18.9 ± 1.1 years) evaluated at 24 to 48 hours postconcussion, and 214 participants (age = 18.9 ± 1.1 years) evaluated once they were cleared to begin a return-to-play progression were included. Participants with concussion were compared with 942 control participants (age = 19.0 ± 1.0 years) who did not sustain a concussion during the study period but completed preseason baseline testing at 2 points separated by 1 year (years 1 and 2).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

At each time point, follow-up RTclin (ie, postconcussion or year 2) was compared with the individual year 1 preseason baseline RTclin and normative baseline data (ie, sex and sport specific). Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to compare the sensitivity and specificity of RTclin change from baseline and norm-based cutoff scores.

Results

Clinical reaction time performance declined within 6 hours (18 milliseconds, 9.2% slower than baseline). The decline persisted at 24 to 48 hours (15 milliseconds, 7.6% slower than baseline), but performance recovered by the time of return-to-play initiation. Within 6 hours, a change from baseline of 16 milliseconds maximized combined sensitivity (52%) and specificity (79%, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.702), whereas a norm-based cutoff score of 19 milliseconds maximized combined sensitivity (46%) and specificity (86%, AUC = 0.700). At 24 to 48 hours, a change from baseline of 2 milliseconds maximized combined sensitivity (64%) and specificity (61%, AUC = 0.666), whereas a norm-based cutoff score of 0 milliseconds maximized combined sensitivity (63%) and specificity (62%, AUC = 0.647).

Conclusions

Norm-based cutoff scores can be used for interpreting RTclin scores postconcussion in collegiate athletes when individual baseline data are not available, although low sensitivity and specificity limit the use of RTclin as a stand-alone test.
Current Clinical Concepts: Synthesizing the Available Evidence for Improved Clinical Outcomes in Iliotibial Band Impingement Syndrome
Authors: Geisler Paul R.
Published: August 2021

The current paradigm of insidious lateral knee pain involving the iliotibial band (ITB) in repetitive knee-flexion activities has been termed ITB friction syndrome since 1975. The original model for ITB pain was based on a limited or incorrect understanding of the relevant anatomy, biomechanics, and tissue science, which gradually led to a plethora of frustrating and ineffective interventional strategies. Mounting evidence from arthroscopic, cadaveric, and biomechanical studies, as well as from diagnostic imaging and histologic reports, has helped deconstruct this long-held paradigm for ITB-related pathology and treatment. By outlining the historical paradigm for our understanding of ITB pain and gathering newer evidence through extensive research, I will synthesize the available data in this clinical update to present an updated, more informed model for understanding insidious-onset ITB-related pathology and treating patients. The result is called ITB impingement syndrome.
Serum Retinol-Binding Protein Levels Are Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Real-World Study
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Hui , Ke Jiang-Feng , Lu Jun-Xi , Liu Yun , Wang Ai-Ping , Li Lian-Xi
Published: August 2021

Background: The association of serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial. Furthermore, few studies have investigated their relationship in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the association between serum RBP levels and NAFLD in Chinese inpatients with T2DM.Methods: This cross-sectional, real-world study included 2,263 Chinese T2DM inpatients. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. The subjects were divided into four groups based on RBP quartiles, and clinical characteristics were compared among the four groups. The associations of both RBP levels and quartiles with the presence of NAFLD were also analyzed.Results: After adjustment for sex, age, and diabetes duration, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of NAFLD from the lowest to the highest RBP quartiles (30.4%, 40.0%, 42.4%, and 44.7% for the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, P<0.001 for trend). Fully adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that both increased RBP levels (odds ratio, 1.155; 95% confidence interval, 1.012 to 1.318; P=0.033) and quartiles (P=0.014 for trend) were independently associated with the presence of NAFLD in T2DM patients.Conclusion: Increased serum RBP levels were independently associated with the presence of NAFLD in Chinese T2DM inpatients. Serum RBP levels may be used as one of the indicators to assess the risk of NAFLD in T2DM patients.