bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation The Scavenging Activities of Ascorbic Acid, Uric Acid, Gallic Acid and GSH to DPPH Radical
Authors: Ali M.A. Al-Kufaishi
Published: January 2021

The “?,?-diphenyl-?-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH)” method from the estimation methods to determine

the antioxidants activity in vitro, through the lowering the absorbance of DPPH with color changing from

violet into yellow with increasing the strength of antioxidants activity. So, the results of this study show the

uric acid is the strongest scavenging, then ascorbic acid when compared with other compounds used. But the

reduced glutathione is the weakest although has acidic hydrogen.
Effect of Omega-3 on Induced Cutaneous Wounds Healing in Rabbits
Authors: Falah Mahmood Hameed
Published: January 2021

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of omega3 on full-thickness cutaneous wounds healing

in rabbits. All animals were created wound (1.5 cm2) full-thickness in dorsal back region in (16) male adult

rabbits, clinically healthy weighing from (1.3- 1.8 kg). Under the effect of intramuscular administration

of a mixture of xylazine hydrochloride 5mg/kg with ketamine hydrochloride 35mg/kg of and 1 mg/kg of

Diazepam. The treatment group was given 300 mg of omega3 orally daily with single dose (group A), while

in group (B), the rabbits were left without treatment, as a control group. For clinical and histopathological

evaluation, each group was divided into four subgroups (two wounds/subgroup) on 3, 7, 14 and 21th days

post-wound creation and treatment. The result revealed, Clinically, the rate of wound healing was same in

all groups, no differences when section taken from the edge of the wounds. The results histopathologically,

shown the treated groups have greater cellularity with improved vasculature with the superiority of omega

3 -treated groups than those in untreated groups. Conclusion; the histopathologically and clinically results

confirmed that given effects of omega3 to the treated groups leads to enhance and develop of cutaneous

wound healing.
Prevalence Rate of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection in Iraqi Patients on Hemodialysis: Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Wisam Hatef Kareem Al-Muramdy
Published: January 2021

Background: Globally, the prevalence rate of chronic HCV infection is highly variable and it is estimated

to range from 5 % up to 60 %. In the United States, it has been estimated that the prevalence rate of HCV

in patients on hemodialysis is 5 times as that seen in the general population; the prevalence rate in those

patients has been approximately 8 %. Hepatitis B virus infection was also a common health issue affecting

patients on hemodialysis; however, a great reduction in the incidence rate of HBV in those patients has been

noticed over that last decades. This reduction in the incidence of HBV has been attributed to vaccination, the

use of erythropoietin instead of frequent blood transfusion for treatment of anemia and screening of blood

donors.

Aim of the study: the current study was planned and carried out aiming at exploring the prevalence rates of

both HBV and HCV in patients and hemodialysis.

Patients and methods: The current cross sectional study was based on the inclusion of 160 patients with

chronic renal failure and on regular hemodialysis. The study was carried out in the dialysis unit at Adiwaniyah

Teaching Hospital, Adiwaniyah Province, mid-Euphrates region of Iraq. The study started on the second of

January 2019 and Ended on the 15th of September 2019. From each patient, a 5 ml sample of venous blood

was obtained and send to the central Laboratory of Adiwaniyah Teaching Hospital for purpose of serologic

identification of HBV and HCV infection in addition to estimation of both blood urea and serum creatinine.

Results: HCV was detected in 34 (21.2 %), while HBV was seen in 2 (1.2 %) and combined HBV and HCV

infection was observed in 2 (1.2 %). According to serologic method, 122 (76.2 %) were free of HCV or HBV

infection.

Conclusion: HCV was far more frequent than HBV infection in Iraqi patients with hemodialysis with

prevalence rates of 21.2 % versus 1.2 %, respectively.
Ensaio sobre a cegueira: José Saramago, o arauto de um mundo em pandemia
Authors: Reis Erivelto da Silva
Published: January 2021

A ideia principal deste artigo é promover uma leitura de pontos bem específicos presentes no livro Ensaio sobre a cegueira (2008), do escritor português José Saramago (1922-2010), e no recente livro do professor e pesquisador português Boaventura de Sousa Santos, A cruel pedagogia do vírus (2020), para dialogar com aspectos que a obra de Saramago teria antecipado em relação a uma possível situação de pandemia, sobretudo a inabilidade de alguns gestores e a inevitabilidade do confinamento e seus efeitos. No contexto da obra, trata-se de uma epidemia de cegueira branca. É notável como algumas situações que Saramago produz em seu ensaio podem ser percebidas em relação à pandemia e ao isolamento so­cial em razão do Covid-19. O recorte feito para essa abordagem pretende discutir, na obra de Saramago, a percepção de que as personagens estavam sob uma epidemia de cegueira, seu contágio e a deflagração do estado de isolamento a que foram submetidas. Assim, visando a uma interação entre a ficção e a realidade contextual que atravessamos, justifica-se este artigo. Para tanto, pretende-se relacionar preferencialmente as situações iniciais imaginadas por Saramago em seu romance-ensaio a uma reflexão sociológica, in loco, do fenômeno da pandemia real, realizada pelo profes­sor português Boaventura de Sousa Santos.
Livros do Brasil: uma editora portuguesa para a literatura brasileira (1940-1970)
Authors: Oliveira Gilberto Gilvan Souza
Published: January 2021

O artigo analisa a trajetória do editor Sousa Pinto e suas relações com o Brasil, em especial a partir da organização da Quinzena do Livro Portu­guês realizada no Rio de Janeiro, em 1941, e da sua editora, a Livros do Brasil. Interessa-nos, sobretudo, compreender como os trânsitos de su­jeitos e livros por além-mar projetou a literatura brasileira em Portugal.
Elitismo para o povo: Cesário Verde e a estética antiburguesa
Authors: Maciel Emilio
Published: January 2021

Leitura de um dos poemas mais intrigantes de Cesário Verde, este ensaio discute os modos pelos quais o texto de “Humilhações” tenta lidar com a natureza centrífuga e disruptiva da experiência moderna, tomando como primeira moldura de referência o novo frisson inaugurado pelas Flores do mal de Baudelaire. Ao mesmo tempo, ao analisar a violenta mudança de tom e velocidade nas últimas duas estrofes — quando o narrador deixa o átrio do teatro para descobrir-se bem no meio de um confronto entre povo e polícia —, procura-se mostrar, de um lado, como ao longo do po­ema o compromisso de dar rosto e voz aos novos atores políticos anda de mãos dadas com um intenso respeito pela opacidade e inacabamento dessa condição, e, de outro, as estratégias formais concebidas para honrar tal aposta.
Fusion of purple membranes triggered by immobilization on carbon nanomembranes
Authors: Riedel René , Frese Natalie , Yang Fang , Wortmann Martin , Dalpke Raphael , Rhinow Daniel , Hampp Norbert , Gölzhäuser Armin
Published: January 2021

A freestanding ultrathin hybrid membrane was synthesized comprising two functional layers, that is, first, a carbon nanomembrane (CNM) produced by electron irradiation-induced cross-linking of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4′-nitro-1,1′-biphenyl-4-thiol (NBPT) and second, purple membrane (PM) containing genetically modified bacteriorhodopsin (BR) carrying a C-terminal His-tag. The NBPT-CNM was further modified to carry nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) terminal groups for the interaction with the His-tagged PMs forming a quasi-monolayer of His-tagged PM on top of the CNM-NTA. The formation of the Ni-NTA/His-tag complex leads to the unidirectional orientation of PM on the CNM substrate. Electrophoretic sedimentation was employed to optimize the surface coverage and to close gaps between the PM patches. This procedure for the immobilization of oriented dense PM facilitates the spontaneous fusion of individual PM patches, forming larger membrane areas. This is, to our knowledge, the very first procedure described to induce the oriented fusion of PM on a solid support. The resulting hybrid membrane has a potential application as a light-driven two-dimensional proton-pumping membrane, for instance, for light-driven seawater desalination as envisioned soon after the discovery of PM.
Analisis kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa dalam menyelesaikan masalah matematika
Authors: Purwaningsih Wharyanti Ika , Supriyono Supriyono
Published: January 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa kelas VIII SMP dalam menyelesaikan masalah matematika. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kualitatif. Pengambilan subjek dengan teknik purposive. Subjek penelitian adalah dua siswa kelas VIII SMP tahun pelajaran 2019/2020 yang berkemampuan matematika tinggi. Instrumen penelitian berupa soal tes materi bangun ruang sisi datar, wawancara, dan catatan lapangan. Teknik analisis yang digunakan yaitu teknik Miles & Huberman yang meliputi tiga aktivitas yaitu reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa siswa dengan kategori tinggi memenuhi keempat indikator berpikir kreatif yang digunakan yaitu fluency, flexibility, orisinalitas, dan elaboration.  Hal ini ditunjukkan dengan mampu memberikan beberapa alternatif jawaban berupa kemungkinan bentuk bangun ruang sisi datar beserta ukurannya, mampu melihat permasalahan dengan sudut pandang/pendekatan yang berbeda sehingga dapat memberikan lebih dari satu kemungkinan bentuk bangun ruang sisi datar berserta ukurannya, mampu memberikan kemungkinan bentuk bangun ruang sisi datar berserta ukurannya yang berbeda dari teman lainnya serta mampu menuliskan apa yang diketahui dan apa yang ditanyakan dari soal.
Perceived Impact of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) On effective retrieval of information resources by postgraduate students in Benue State University, Makurdi
Authors: Ternenge Tofi Simon , Tarbo Nguwasen Dorcas  , Terwase Agor Cornelius , Member Tyopev Comfort
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the perceived impact of OPAC on effective retrieval of information resources by postgraduate students in Benue State University, Makurdi. The study looked at the perceived impact of OPAC on effective retrieval of information resources, purpose of utilizing OPAC by postgraduate students, search strategies used by postgraduate students for effective retrieval of information resources, challenges as well as strategies to enhance the use of OPAC by postgraduate student for effective retrieval of resources. Five (5) objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was made up of 38 postgraduate students who are registered with Benue State University Library. However, the census sampling was adopted for the study due to the small nature of the population. The instrument for data collection was self-structured questionnaire titled “Perceived Impact of OPAC on Information Retrieval Questionnaire” (PIOPACIRQ) which was validated by experts and a reliability coefficient of 0.947 was obtained. Data was collected and analyzed using frequent count and means. Findings of the study revealed that, there is a high perceived impact of OPAC on effective retrieval of information resources by postgraduate students in Benue State University, Makurdi. Finding also revealed that, postgraduate students in Benue State University, Makurdi utilize OPAC for various purposes such as to know the available resources in the university library, to locate books by author, title and subject, assists in obtaining books from the university library, among others. Finding also revealed the search strategies used by postgraduate students for effective retrieval of information resources in Benue State University Makurdi to include by author, title, subject and edition. The study further revealed the challenges hindering the use of OPAC for effective retrieval of information resources in Benue State University, Makurdi to include: lack of skilled library professionals to assists students, lack of orientation from library staff, lack of time to retrieve the vast information, slow internet connectivity speed, among others. Findings finally revealed some key strategies to enhance the use of OPAC for effective retrieval of information resources by postgraduate students in Benue State University, Makurdi which include: employment of skilled/competent library staff, need to design user-friendly OPAC template, improvement of internet connectivity speed, and organizing user education program to orientate postgraduate students on the use of OPAC, among others. Recommendations were also made based on the findings of the study.
Developing the Talents and Creativity of Students
Authors: Thilavongsa Veleriy , Phoumai Peter , Souvandee Souvandee
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to discuss the relationship between talent, creativity and achievement. Talent can affect a person's achievement so that he is able to make achievements, in addition to realizing talent, it is necessary to have extensive knowledge, experience and motivation that support that talent. A person with supportive talent and creativity is able to score good achievements because someone with talent and creativity that is developed from an early age will be realized in the form of superior achievements. They are able to develop their talents through their unlimited creativity so that they can make superior achievements.
IS an Open Infinite Future Impossible? A Reply to Pruss
Authors: Hess Elijah , Rhoda Alan
Published: January 2021

Alexander Pruss has recently argued on probabilistic grounds that Christian philosophers should reject Open Futurism—roughly, the thesis that there are no true future contingents—on account of this view’s alleged inability to handle certain statements about infinite futures in a mathematically or religiously adequate manner. We argue that, once the distinction between being true and becoming true is applied to such statements, it is evident that they pose no problem for Open Futurists.
O USO DE METÁFORAS COM UM ADOLESCENTE EM PROCESSO PSICOTERAPÊUTICO FAMILIAR
Authors: Trajano Mariana Peres , Gonçalves Monica Duarte da Silva
Published: January 2021

Neste artigo, buscamos ressaltar as contribuições que as metáforas proporcionam para ampliar os recursos conversacionais entre psicólogo e cliente. Para compreender e refletir, portanto, o processo da família, nosso olhar conversou com o construcionismo social, bem como com as práticas colaborativas e narrativas. O estudo de caso aqui apresentado se refere a um recorte de um processo psicoterápico familiar. O foco, no entanto, serão as sessões das quais o adolescente, que estava em período de adoção, participou individualmente. Escolhemos recortes dessas sessões para exemplificar a forma como coconstruímos a utilização das métáforas, as quais foram utilizadas e propriciaram a conexão da dupla cliente-terapeuta, possibilitando ressignificar os sentimentos e emoções desse adolescente sobre algumas questões importantes da sua história, incluindo a estigmatização que marcava suas falas sobre quem acreditava ser – um adolescente malvado e não amado.
CARACTERÍSTICAS DO RELACIONAMENTO CONJUGAL DE CASAIS QUE OPTARAM POR NÃO TER FILHOS
Authors: Coelho Ingrid Mesquita , De Souza Daniel Cerdeira , Silva Iolete Ribeiro da
Published: January 2021

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever características do relacionamento conjugal de casais sem filhos por opção, elencando as razões que os levaram a optarem por tal decisão e compreender seu nível de satisfação no que concerne ao seu relacionamento conjugal através de uma pesquisa qualitativa de cunho exploratório. Participaram 10 casais, sendo cinco casais adultos jovens (18 a 30 anos) e cinco casais adultos (31 a 60 anos). A coleta de dados foi realizada através de um formulário on-line e os dados foram analisados a partir da análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Os resultados foram compilados em quatro categorias que mostraram as dinâmicas envolvidas no desejo de não ter filhos, sendo: 1) Falta de desejo de ter filhos; 2) Desenvolvimento da carreira profissional; 3) A responsabilidade exigida para a criação de um filho; 4) estabilidade financeira. Por fim, o estudo demostrou que os casais estavam satisfeitos com seus relacionamentos e que enfrentavam alguns estigmas baseados em gênero por conta da decisão da não maternidade/paternidade.
THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE CONCEPT OF WHOLENESS AS THE THEORETICAL BASIS OF THE METHODOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Голиков Ю.Я.
Published: January 2021

На основе результатов анализа ограничений традиционных парадигм естествознания (холизма, кибернетики, системного подхода) и требований новых парадигм (синергетики, квантовой теории поля, универсального эволюционизма) разработано новое теоретическое основание изучения сложноорганизованных, эволюционирующих объектов - эволюционно-целостный подход. По своему содержанию этот понятийный аппарат представляет собой объединение базисных понятий («целое», «эволюция», «общность материальной природы объектов», «самоорганизация», «субъектность», «потенциальность») и принципа соответствия развития объекта общим закономерностям эволюции материального мира с понятием «целостность», интерпретируемой как совокупность концептуальных представлений о свойствах внутреннего строения, функционирования и развития изучаемого целого. Данная методологическая позиция утверждает необходимость постановки в центр внимания научной практики проблемы эволюции сложноорганизованного объекта как целого с позиции общих закономерностей эволюции материи.

On the basis of results of the analysis of restrictions of traditional paradigms of natural sciences (wholism, cybernetics, the system approach) and requirements of new paradigms (synergetics, the quantum theory of a field, universal evolutionism) the new theoretical basis of studying complex-organized, evoluting objects - the evolutional-wholeness approach is developed. Under the contents this conceptual device represents association of basic concepts («whole», «evolution», «generality of the material nature of objects», «self-organizing», «subjectness», «potentiality») and a principle of conformity of development of object to the general laws of evolution of a material world with concept the «wholeness», interpretive as set of conceptual representations about properties of an internal structure, functioning and development of investigated the whole. The given methodological position approves necessity of statement for the center of attention of scientific practice of a problem of evolution complex-organized object as the whole from a position of the general laws of evolution of a matter.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Сергеев С.Ф.
Published: January 2021

В статье дан краткий анализ истории появления и развития проблематики искусственного интеллекта и связанных с нею актуальных направлений в области общей психологии, инженерной психологии и эргономики. При создании систем и технологий искусственного интеллекта, порождаемых эволюцией техногенной среды человеческой цивилизации необходимо учитывать вопросы обеспечения взаимодействия человека с организованной эволюционирующей средой. Рассматриваются перспективные направления психологических исследований и возможные проблемы при использовании в этих областях концептуально-понятийного аппарата постнеклассический психологии, философии самоорганизующихся сложных систем.

The article provides a brief analysis of the history of the emergence and development of artificial intelligence issues and related topical areas in the field of General psychology, engineering psychology and ergonomics. When creating artificial intelligence systems and technologies generated by the evolution of the technogenic environment of human civilization, it is necessary to take into account the issues of ensuring human interaction with the organized evolving environment. The article considers promising areas of psychological research and possible problems when using the conceptual and conceptual apparatus of post-non-classical psychology and the philosophy of self-organizing complex systems in these areas.
The Force of Nonviolence: The Ethical in the Political
Authors: Mora Claudia
Published: January 2021

Reseña del libro The Force of Nonviolence: The Ethical in the Political, de Judith Butler.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law
Authors: Valenzuela Ricardo
Published: January 2021

Reseña del libro Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law, de Stéphanie Bijlmakers.
PRODUCTIVITY ASSESSMENT OF THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY IN CHINA: A TWO-STAGE MALMQUIST PRODUCTIVITY INDEX
Authors: Liu Xiao-xiao , Liu Hui-hui , Yang Guo-liang , Pan Jiao-feng
Published: January 2021

Considering that the real estate industry is a critical industry to promote the economy in China, it is necessary to measure the real estate performance. However, few studies about the performance evaluation of China’s real estate industry have focused on the production process. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a two-stage framework to investigate the real estate productivity of 30 sample provinces on mainland China from 2008 to 2015, based on a common-weight global Malmquist productivity index (MPI). The major findings are shown as follows: (a) the real estate efficiency is low, and it is mainly caused by the inefficiency in the sales stage, not the development stage; (b) the development trend of the real estate sector in China is sensitive to the government policies, and the fluctuations of MPI are consistent with the direction of policy adjustment during the observation period; (c) as for the regional analysis of MPI, we introduce the concept of the dependence degree of the economy on the real estate industry and predict that MPI in economically underdeveloped regions may decline in the future. Finally, policy recommendations are provided for the high-quality development of China’s real estate industry.
Characteristics of Pluto’s Haze and Surface from an Analytic Radiative Transfer Model
Authors: Hillier J. H. , Buratti B. J. , Hofgartner J. D. , Hicks M. D. , Devins S. , Kivrak L.
Published: January 2021

Observations of Pluto from New Horizons have been combined with previous ground-based observations and fit to a radiative transfer model based on Chandrasekhar’s planetary problem and Hapke theory to simultaneously derive the physical properties of the dwarf planet’s surface and atmosphere. We derive the macroscopic roughness, single-scattering albedo, and directional scattering properties of the surface, and the single-scattering albedo, optical depth, and single-scattering phase function of Pluto’s haze. The haze particles are small, with best-fit sizes in the range of ∼0.41–1.14 μm. We find that Pluto’s haze is more similar to that of Titan, rich in organic compounds and highly forward scattering, than that of Triton. With organic compounds and a likely subsurface water ocean, Pluto may harbor sustainable habitable environments. Our model, which includes the coherent backscatter effect, fits the anomalously large opposition surge recently discovered on Pluto.
Anatomical characteristics of fossil wood collected from the Manchar Formation (Miocene), Thano Bula Khan, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Soomro Noorulain , Mangi Jamal Uddin , Panhwer Mahjabeen , Jatoi Ghulam Hussain , Khuhro Sajjad Ali , Khokhar Qamaruddin , Khan Shabab Ali , Mengal Ali Nawaz , Shaikh Nasirudin
Published: January 2021

The characterization of petrified wood provides valuable information about paleoclimatology and geological history and helps to reconstruct the past forest flora of different parts of the earth. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of fossil wood of the Miocene age collected from the Manchar Formation exposed at Thano Bula Khan, Sindh, Pakistan. In order to carry out a detailed anatomical investigation, three-dimensional sections were prepared using a petrotome. The microscopic analysis allowed us to study vessel size and arrangement, wood parenchyma, fibers, and xylem rays. Based on the comparison between recent and fossil wood, we concluded that the investigated characters are comparable with those of the genus Atalantia Corrêa of the Rutaceae family. Therefore, it was named as Atalantioxylon thanobolensis sp. nov. with reference to the location of Thano Bula Khan from which the fossil wood was collected.
Authoritative knowledge of childbirth and obstetrics: analysis of discursive practices of Russian perinatal specialists
Authors: Ozhiganova Anna A.
Published: January 2021

The article discusses discursive practices of official and alternative perinatal specialists: obstetricians and gynecologists, midwives of maternity hospitals, domestic midwives and doulas. To analyze these practices, the author uses the notion of authoritative knowledge proposed by Brigitte Jordan and dating back to the power-knowledge concept by Michel Foucault. The author focuses on controversial but widely used concepts such as obstetric violence and natural childbirth. Additionally, the author regards such relatively new for the Russian community concepts as humanization of childbirth, obstetric model, demedicalization of childbirth, etc. The study is based on the materials of the founding conference of the professional non-profit association Obstetric Union, which was held at Moscow Perinatal Medical Center Mother and Child on November 30 – December 1, 2019.
Efficient Iterative Massive MIMO Detectors Based on Iterative Matrix Inversion Methods
Authors: Albreem Mahmoud
Published: January 2021

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a key technology in fifth generation (5G) communication systems. Although the maximum likelihood (ML) obtains an optimal performance, it is prohibited in realization because of its high computational complexity. Linear detectors are an alternative solution, but they contain a matrix inversion which is not hardware friendly. Several methods have been proposed to approximate or to avoid the computation of exact matrix inversion. This chapter garners those methods and study their applicability in massive MIMO system so that a generalist in communication systems can differentiate between different algorithms from a wide range of solutions. This chapter presents the performance-complexity profile of a detector based on the Neuamnn-series (NS), Newton iteration (NI), successive over relaxation (SOR), Gauss-Seidel (GS), Jacobi (JA), Richardson (RI), optimized coordinate descent (OCD), and conjugate-gradient (CG) methods in 8×64, 16×64, and 32×64 MIMO sizes, and modulation scheme is 64QAM.
Future Forward
Authors: Byrd L. Simone
Published: January 2021

The examination presented in this chapter asserts that the global Coronavirus pandemic presents an opportunity, rather than a delay, to promote and accelerate widespread campus implementation of experiential learning pedagogical and assessment practices across disciplines, particularly in mass communication programs. In doing so, this work posits that the adoption of modern practices in media education in tandem with changes in contemporary society are critical to positioning students for the creation of their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
An Improved Genetic Algorithm for Document Clustering on the Cloud
Authors: Akter Ruksana , Chung Yoojin
Published: January 2021

This article presents a modified genetic algorithm for text document clustering on the cloud. Traditional approaches of genetic algorithms in document clustering represents chromosomes based on cluster centroids, and does not divide cluster centroids during crossover operations. This limits the possibility of the algorithm to introduce different variations to the population, leading it to be trapped in local minima. In this approach, a crossover point may be selected even at a position inside a cluster centroid, which allows modifying some cluster centroids. This also guides the algorithm to get rid of the local minima, and find better solutions than the traditional approaches. Moreover, instead of running only one genetic algorithm as done in the traditional approaches, this article partitions the population and runs a genetic algorithm on each of them. This gives an opportunity to simultaneously run different parts of the algorithm on different virtual machines in cloud environments. Experimental results also demonstrate that the accuracy of the proposed approach is at least 4% higher than the other approaches.
A Hybrid Approach for Shape Retrieval Using Genetic Algorithms and Approximate Distance
Authors: Mezzoudj Saliha , Melkemi Kamal Eddine
Published: January 2021

This article describes how the classical algorithm of shape context (SC) is still unable to capture the part structure of some complex shapes. To overcome this insufficiency, the authors propose a novel shape-based retrieval approach that is called HybMAS-GA using a multi-agent system (MAS) and a genetic algorithm (GA). They define a new distance called approximate distance (AD) to define a SC method by AD, which called approximate distance shape context (ADSC) descriptor. Furthermore, the authors' proposed HybMAS-GA is a star architecture where all shape context agents, N, are directly linked to a coordinator agent. Each retrieval agent must perform either a SC or an ADSC method to obtain a similar shape, started from its own initial configuration of sample points. This combination increases the efficiency of the proposed HybMAS-GA algorithm and ensures its convergence to an optimal images retrieval as it is shown through experimental results.
Innovative Genetic Algorithmic Approach to Select Potential Patches Enclosing Real and Complex Zeros of Nonlinear Equation
Authors: Nadimpalli Vijaya Lakshmi V. , Wankar Rajeev , Chillarige Raghavendra Rao
Published: January 2021

In this article, an innovative Genetic Algorithm is proposed to find potential patches enclosing roots of real valued function f:R→R. As roots of f can be real as well as complex, the function is reframed on to complex plane by writing it as f(z). Thus, the problem now is transformed to finding potential patches (rectangles in C) enclosing z such that f(z)=0, which is resolved into two components as real and imaginary parts. The proposed GA generates two random populations of real numbers for the real and imaginary parts in the given regions of interest and no other initial guesses are needed. This is the prominent advantage of the method in contrast to various other methods. Additionally, the proposed ‘Refinement technique' aids in the exhaustive coverage of potential patches enclosing roots and reinforces the selected potential rectangles to be narrow, resulting in significant search space reduction. The method works efficiently even when the roots are closely packed. A set of benchmark functions are presented and the results show the effectiveness and robustness of the new method.
Best Feature Selection for Horizontally Distributed Private Biomedical Data Based on Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Tarik Boudheb , Zakaria Elberrichi
Published: January 2021

Due to the growing success of machine learning in the healthcare domain, medical institutions are striving to share their patients' data in the intention to build more accurate models which will be used to make better decisions. However, due to the privacy of the data, they are reluctant. To build the best models, they have to make the best feature selection for horizontally distributed private biomedical data. The previous proposed solutions are based on data perturbation techniques with the loss of performance. In this article, the researchers propose an original solution without perturbation. This is so the data utility is preserved and therefore the performance. The proposed solution uses a genetic algorithm, a distributed Naïve Bayes classifier, and a trusted third-party. The results obtained by the proposed approach surpass those obtained by other researchers, for the same problem.
Genetic Algorithm Approach for Inventory and Supply Chain Management
Authors: Mishra Poonam Prakash
Published: January 2021

Inventory and supply chain management is a real concern for business community in today's globally competitive scenario. Various inventory models are proposed, significant parameters are analysed and finally optimized by researchers in order to give managers an insight for the different parameters. Mathematical and logical analysis of different inventory and supply chain models helps mangers in overall cost reduction and further higher revenue generation. Members often encounter conflicting interest and unforeseen scenario. So, all this make supply chain very complex and dynamic process. Complex and uncertain nature of inventory and supply chain, many times either it is not feasible to solve the issue with traditional methods or it is not cost effective. Thus many researchers are using artificial intelligence approach for investigation. Genetic algorithm is one among them that works efficiently with complex nature of the inventory and supply chain management. This article provides an up to date review about the role of GA in overall inventory and supply chain management.
Disaster Relief Management Using Reinforcement Learning-Based Routing
Authors: Walunjkar Gajanan Madhavrao , Rao Anne Koteswara , Rao V. Srinivasa
Published: January 2021

Effective disaster management is required for the peoples who are trapped in the disaster scenario but unfortunately when disaster situation occurs the infrastructure support is no longer available to the rescue team. Ad hoc networks which are infrastructure-less networks can easily deploy in such situation. In disaster area mobility model, disaster area is divided into different zones such as incident zone, casualty treatment zones, transport areas, hospital zones, etc. Also, in order to tackle high mobility of nodes and frequent failure of links in a network, there is a need of adaptive routing protocol. Reinforcement learning is used to design such adaptive routing protocol which shows good improvement in packet delivery ratio, delay and average energy consumed.
Intent-Based Network Policy to Solution Architecting Recommendations
Authors: Yichiet Aun , Min Jasmina Khaw Yen , Lee Gan Ming , Sheng Low Jun
Published: January 2021

The semantic diversity of policies written by people with different IT literacy to achieve certain network security or performance goals created ambiguity to otherwise straightforward solution implementations. In this project, an intent-aware solution recommender is designed to decode semantic cues in network policies written by various demographics for robust solution recommendations. A novel policy analyzer is designed to extract the intrinsic networking intents from ICT policies to provide context-specific solution recommendations. A custom network-aware intent recognizer is trained on a small keywords-to-intents dataset annotated by domain experts using NLP algorithms in AWS comprehend. The bin-of-words model is then used to classify sentences in the policies into predicted ‘intent' class. A collaborative filtering recommendation system using crowd-sourced ground-truth is designed to suggest optimal architecting solutions to achieve the requirements outlined in ICT policies.
Detection and Segmentation of Medical Images Using Generic Algorithms
Authors: Khandhar Hardev Mukeshbhai , Bhatt Chintan M. , Fong Simon
Published: January 2021

Image processing plays an indispensable and significant role in the development of various fields like medical imaging, astronomy, GIS, disaster management, agriculture monitoring, and so on. Medical images which are recorded in digital forms are processed by high-end computers to extract whatever information we desire. In the fast-developing modern world of medical imaging diagnosis and prognosis, where manual photo interpretation is time-consuming, automatic object detection from devices like CT-Scans and MRIs has limited potential to generate the required results. This article addresses the process of identifying Region of Interests in cancer based medical images based on combination of Otsuâ€™s algorithm and Canny edge detection methods. The primary objective of this paper is to derive meaningful and potential information from medical image in different scenarios by applying the image segementation in combination with genetic algorithms in a robust manner to detect region of interest.
Assessing the Quality of E-Government Websites in Uganda
Authors: Semwanga Agnes Rwashana , Kahiigi Evelyn Kigozi
Published: January 2021

Governments are increasingly using web-based portals to provide information and cost-effective service delivery. While some e-government websites have delivered the intended goal, others are still struggling. This study assessed the quality of the e-government websites using a three-step investigation methodology. Firstly, the quality attributes were generated from literature, then a conceptual framework for e-government websites with four quality dimensions was developed, and lastly, an observation instrument was used to measure the quality attributes of 78 Uganda e-government websites. Most of the websites scored highly on the level of authority, relevance, quality of text, organization of the website, and time to download. The level of attractiveness, content accuracy, objectivity, currency of information, use of multimedia, and multi-language required significant improvements while the use of social media and evidence of security and privacy of the information was hardly visible. A framework is proposed to improve the quality of e-government websites.
Exploring the Limitations of Responsive Design Through a Case Study Approach
Authors: Almeida Fernando , Monteiro José Augusto
Published: January 2021

Having an online presence is essential for any company regardless of its size and type of business. Users are currently striving to interact with companies through the web, regardless of their access device. In this sense, responsive web design emerged as a very useful technique that allows the dynamic adaptation of the design regardless of the size and resolution of the access device. Despite the unequivocal advantages associated with this technique, there are also limitations which turn this approach not feasible or advisable for all projects. This study, through the realization of five case studies, seeks to identify the main limitations of responsive design and responsive design frameworks. Additionally, this study suggests further development models that may be more effective in the dynamic adaptation of the design and contents according to the features of the access device, such as the adoption of adaptive design, use of native apps, and hybrid models.
An Information Retrieval System Based on Multiple Portlets
Authors: Vaz Glauber José , Barbedo Jayme Garcia Arnal
Published: January 2021

Information retrieval systems built with a service-oriented architecture have numerous advantages, and portlets are a key technology to implement services which interact with each other in the presentation layer. This work presents an efficient approach for the communication between the components of an information retrieval system based on multiple portlets in a single user interface. It also presents the architecture and the main methods of the system implemented as a case of use for this approach. It is shown that the proposed solution yields the best inter-portlet communication mechanism in each situation, while possessing the ability to deliver aggregated search and superior user experience.
Hydration and Proton Transfer Processes in Sulfonated Nata De Coco Membrane with Density Functional Theory
Authors: Rahmawati Sitti , Linaya Radiman Cynthia , Abdulkadir Martoprawiro Muhamad , Nuryanti Siti , Pathuddin Pathuddin , Ma'ruf Ahmad
Published: January 2021

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) is one of the most promising alternative energy resources to meet human energy needs. DMFCs is fuel cells that use polymer membranes as the electrolytes to transfer the protons from anode to cathode. The characteristics of those two types of membranes in ion exchange capacity (IEC) and degree of swelling (swelling) have shown a very important role of water in the proton transfer. However, the mechanism of interaction between the repeating units of the polymer with water molecules has not been studied in depth. Computational methods can be used to study such interactions as well as the transfer of protons. To examine the transfer of protons in the membrane, studies of computing via electronic structure calculations, geometry optimization, interaction inter/intra molecular, as well as the hydration process and transfer of protons in the sulfonated nata-de-coco membranes (NDCS) has been conducted in this work. All calculations were performed using DFT with B3LYP functional and basis set 6-311G(d). The repeating units of the membranes were optimized (n=1,2,...,5), to obtain the structure with minimum energy. The optimized structure was then interacted with one water molecule in the same position to study the effect of chain length on its interaction strength with water molecules. The thermodynamic and proton dissociation parameters was calculated by adding n water molecules (n=1,2, …,10) to determine the hydration process and the proton transfer on the membranes. The calculations showed that for interactions with water, the polymer structure in NDCS can be represented/modeled by two repeating units. Therefore, the hydration process and transfer of protons in the membranes were studied by adding n water molecules gradually into the two repeating units. The results showed that the proton dissociation process in NDCS membrane started with the addition of two molecules of water. The presence of water molecules promoted the proton dissociation in the -SO3H groups to form SO3- and H3O+ ions, which further formed Zundel ions and Eigen ions. The energy profile of proton transfer showed that the barrier energy was 58.13 kcal/mol for NDCS-5(H2O). Its thermodynamic parameters, the calculation showed that the interaction energy (ΔE), the enthalpy change (ΔH) and the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) to its interaction with n water molecules (n=1,2,…,10) in NDCS are getting more negative. This indicated that the interaction with water molecule is stronger. So, based on these results, it can be concluded that the computational calculations using DFT method at B3LYP functional and 6-311G(d) basis set can be used to describe the process of hydration and proton transfer in the interactions in the polymer electrolyte membrane (NDCS membrane)
Dielectric Properties of Cr3+ Doped Al2O3 of a Hierarchical Nanostructure Synthesized Using a Highly Porous Precursor of Tubular AlO(OH)⋅αH2O Fibers
Authors: Jangu Surendra , Sharma Sanjeev Kumar , Sudhansu Amit Kumar , Ram Shanker
Published: January 2021

Herein, we have developed a Cr3+ doped Al2O3 of a hierarchical nanostructure by a simple two-step synthesis. A pure AlO(OH)⋅αH2O, as synthesized in forms of small tubular fibers by hydrolysis of Al-metal sheets, is easily doped with selective Cr3+ dosages up to 2.0 mol% using an aqueous CrO3. As-synthesized samples exhibit XRD of a single phase Cr3+: Al2O3 of a rhombohedral crystal structure. Average pore-volume is decreased as 98.1, 89.8, and 61.5 cm3-g-1 in the 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 % Cr% doped samples, with average pore radius of 1.70, 2.17 and 1.90 nm, respectively, as measure from BET specific surface area. Local Al-O vibrations exhibit IR bands of 400 to 1200 cm-1 intrinsic of oxygen polygons. At room temperature, a duly tailored dielectric permittivity of 480 is obtained in a 2.0 mol% Cr3+:Al2O3 and that is enhanced progressively on heating it over 25 to 300 °C, showing a value 6700 at 300 °C in phonon induced dynamics of charge carriers, useful for solid-state electronics.
Defect Minimization of an Injection Molded Plastic Component Using Conformal Cooling Channels
Authors: Singraur Deepika S. , Patil Bhushan T. , Shaikh Vasim A.
Published: January 2021

The cooling process is an essential aspect while designing for uniform heat transfer between the mold and the molded part. Improper design and placement of cooling channels result in non-uniform cooling and thus results in differential shrinkage and warpage on the final product. The installation of the channels yet plays a crucial role in the cooling of the part. Conforming channels that are placed at an optimum distance from the part to enhance the cooling process. In this paper, the performance parameters of straight drilled channels are compared with the conformal cooling channels for an electric alarm box. The analysis indicates that the conformal cooling method improved and enhanced the cooling process and reduced the defects like warpage and differential shrinkage by 25.5% and 28.0% respectively.
Urticaria: clinical profile, laboratory evaluation, serum IgE evaluation and its significance
Authors: Anaba Ehiaghe Lonia , Oaku Ruth Itohan , Cole-Adeife Motunsope Olufolakemi
Published: January 2021

Background: Urticaria is a recurrent pruritic skin disease characterised by wheals and or angioedema. The recurrent nature of urticaria, pruritus and wheals impacts negatively on the quality of life of patients. Prevalence studies, type, trigger factors and patient related factors including serum IgE vary depending on site of study. These factors were not documented in our patients. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of our urticaria patients and determine the proportion of urticaria patients who have elevated Sr IgE, Eosinophilia, Basophilia, Hepatitis B and C virus seropositivity. Also, to correlate elevated Sr IgE with age, gender, presence of atopy, dermographism, type of urticaria, raised eosinophil count and resolution with anti-histamines.

Methods: A retrospective case review was conducted on 43 patients who attended the dermatology outpatient clinic from January 2017 to December 2018. The sociodemographic and clinical parameters of patients was documented using a questionnaire. Investigation results (Sr IgE levels, Eosinophil and Basophil counts, Hepatitis B and C virus seropositivity, stool ova and parasite) were extracted from cases records. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Univariate descriptive statistics such as means, medians, frequencies and proportions are presented.

Results: Prevalence of urticaria was 4.2% and the mean age of the patients was 40.6±15.6 years. Patients were made up 62.8% males and 37.2% females. A history of atopy was noted in 34.9%, urticaria was acute and chronic in 4.7% and 95.3% respectively. Angioedema was present in 44.2% and absent in 53.5%. Majority of the patients (67.4%) were treated with anti-histamines. Serum IgE was elevated in 43.8%, Eosinophilia in 27.30%, Basophilia in 0%, hepatitis B seropositivity in 10%, hepatitis C seropositivity in 0% and a positive stool ova/parasite test in 2.3%.

Conclusions: Urticaria is more prevalent in males. Prevalence is more in those over 40 years of age and prevalence increases with age. Atopy and angioedema is demonstrable in some patients. Basophilia is low in urticaria. Eosinophilia and a raised serum IgE is found in some patients. Parasitology is low in urticaria.