bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indian Devotional Music: Its Relation with the Religious Concept of People and Iconography
Authors: Baruah Sudarshana
Published: December 2023

Religion is the driving force behind the evolution of society. Human religious believers have interpreted music as the utterances of gods and lauded it as the purest expression of spirituality. Throughout the majority of human history, religious texts have been sung rather than written, and religious behavior has been expressed through prayer or devotional melodies or music in almost all religious traditions. The values, functions, and genres of religious music are culturally diverse and varied. Religious musical forms can transcend cultural barriers. Some religions, such as Buddhism, use music to prepare the mind for meditation by calming and focusing it. In India, kirtan, also known as Shikh religious music, facilitates connection with one another and with God. Similarly, Vedic hymns in Hinduism were musical. By performing bhajans, devotional songs, Sanskrit mantras, etc. Hindus offer prayers to God. Sufi music, Qawalli, etc., are chanted during prayers in the Muslim faith. In addition, it teaches religious teachings. Religious songs of any faith are characterized as a source of strength and a means of relieving pain, thereby improving one’s mood. The iconography of Indian music contains numerous elements that represent the human religion, culture, traditions, and way of life, thinking, values, customs, costumes, rituals, and behavior throughout the centuries through visual art and symbolism like sculpture, architecture, idol of god etc. Therefore, iconography is a specialized discipline of study that examines images of gods. Indian music and dance are the culmination of one of the world’s finest civilizations’ evolution. The Iconography of Indian music entails the study of figures, images, deities, and pictorial representations of the devotional music’s most prominent deities of music.
B0-VPG Representation of AT-free Outerplanar Graphs
Authors: Jain Sparsh , Pallathumadam Sreejith , Rajendraprasad Deepak
Published: December 2023

A $k$-bend path is a non-self-intersecting polyline in the plane made of at most $k+1$ axis-parallel line segments.
B$_{k}$-VPG is the class of graphs which can be represented as intersection graphs of $k$-bend paths in the same plane.
In this paper, we show that all AT-free outerplanar graphs are B$_{0}$-VPG, i.e., intersection graphs of horizontal and vertical line segments in the plane.
Our proofs are constructive and give a polynomial time B$_{0}$-VPG drawing algorithm for the class.
In fact, we show the existence of a B$_{0}$-VPG representation for a superclass of AT-free graphs namely linear outerplanar graphs which we define as the class of subgraphs of biconnected outerpaths.
Outerpaths are outerplanar graphs which admit a planar drawing whose weak dual is a path.

    Following a long line of improvements, Gonçalves, Isenmann, and Pennarun [SODA 2018] showed that all planar graphs are B$_{1}$-VPG.
Since there are planar graphs which are not B$_{0}$-VPG, characterizing B$_{0}$-VPG graphs among planar graphs becomes interesting.
Chaplick et al. [WG 2012] had shown that it is NP-complete to recognize B$_{k}$-VPG graphs within B$_{k+1}$-VPG. Hence recognizing B$_{0}$-VPG graphs within B$_{1}$-VPG is NP-complete in general, but the question
is open when restricted to planar graphs.
There are outerplanar graphs and AT-free planar graphs which are not B$_{0}$-VPG.
This piqued our interest in AT-free outerplanar graphs.
False positive ecstasy (MDMA) urine drug screening test results due to bupropion use: A case report
Authors: ACAR ŞAHAN Selin , KARADAŞ Barış , AYDIN AKFIRAT Semra , AYDEMİR Nihat , AKSUN Saliha , KAPLAN Yusuf
Published: December 2023

This case report is about a false positive ecstasy (MDMA) result in the urine substance abuse screening analysis of a person using the antidepressant drugs bupropion and sertraline with a therapeutic indication. Urine drug and stimulant screening analysis of a 25-year-old male patient who is history of bupropion (300 mg/day) and sertraline (100 mg/day) use, followed in the Amatem polyclinic due to the probation law, was performed with Syva® Emit® II Plus kits and immunoassay method. In order to confirm the ecstasy test, which was positive in the screening analysis, the substance analysis was repeated on the same sample with the gas chromatography sequential mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method and ecstasy was not detected in the confirmation analysis. At the same time, the presence of bupropion and sertraline patient declared to use, was confirmed with the LC-MS-Iontrap device. In conclusion, with this case example, we wanted to highlight the potential interaction of bupropion with the Syva® Emit® II Plus urine ecstasy screening tests, which could lead to false positive results. When positive ecstasy values are detected in the urine samples analyzed with the immunoassay method in patients using bupropion, the final decision should be made after a confirmatory analysis.
Pars Planitis Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Follow-Up And Prognosis
Authors: BAHAR Merve
Published: December 2023

Pars planitis (PP) is an idiopathic intermediate uveitis accompanied by snowbanks and snowballs that often affects the pediatric and adolescent age groups. PP accounts for 5-26.7% of pediatric uveitis in different series. Histopathological and clinical findings indicate autoimmune etiology. It shows bilateral and asymmetrical involvement. While patients often complain of blurred vision and floaters, sometimes PP can be asymptomatic. Complications develop as a result of chronic involvement. Diagnosis is made by clinical examination and imaging methods. Treatment aims to suppress inflammation in the acute period and to reduce the frequency, severity and complications of exacerbations in the long term. The ultimate goal is to prevent ocular morbidity by providing complete remission. Conventional treatments include corticosteroids and immunomodulatory (IMT) agents such as methotrexate (MTX), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), mycophenolate mofetil (MFM). In recent years, new treatment options including biological agents such as anti-TNF-α therapy have become widespread and are used effectively in treatment. The most important point regarding the necessity of surgical treatment is that surgical success depends on the complete suppression of ocular inflammation with medical treatment. Therefore, it must be ensured that full inflammation control is achieved before surgery.

Pars planit (PP) sıklıkla pediatrik ve adölesan yaş grubunu etkileyen snowbank ve snowball’ların eşlik ettiği idiyopatik intermediate üveittir. PP farklı serilerde pediatrik üveitlerin %5-26,7'sini oluşturmaktadır. Histopatolojik ve klinik bulgular otoimmün etiyolojiye işaret eder. Bilateral, asimetrik tutulum gösterir. Hastalar sıklıkla bulanık görme ve uçuşma şikayetiyle başvurur. Bazen de asemptomatik seyreder. Kronik tutulum sonucu komplikasyon gelişimine rastlanabilir. Tanı klinik muayene ve görüntüleme yöntemleriyle konur. Tedavinin amacı akut dönemde enflamasyonu baskılamak, uzun dönemde ise atakların sıklığını, şiddetini ve komplikasyonları azaltmaktır. Nihai amaç, tam bir remisyon sağlanarak oküler morbiditenin önlenmesidir. Geleneksel tedaviler arasında steroitler ve metotreksat (MTX), azatioprin (AZA), siklosporin A (CSA), mikofenolat mofetil (MFM) gibi immunomodülatuar (İMT) ajanlar bulunmaktadır. Son yıllarda; anti-TNF-α tedavisi gibi biyolojik ajanları kapsayan yeni tedavi seçenekleri yaygınlaşmış olup tedavide etkin şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Cerrahi tedavi gerektiğinde ise dikkat edilmesi gereken en önemli nokta; cerrahi başarının oküler enflamasyonun medikal tedavi ile tamamen baskılanmasına bağlı olduğudur. Bu nedenle cerrahi öncesi tam enflamasyon kontrolü sağlandığından emin olunmalıdır.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON NESFATIN-1 LEVEL
Authors: YILDIRIM Burak Oğulcan
Published: December 2023

Aim: Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered adipocytokine that is believed to regulate food intake and is linked to body mass index. While its precise mechanism of action remains unclear, a deeper understanding of how nesfatin-1 interacts with metabolic diseases, inflammation, and insulin resistance could have significant implications for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease.

Smoking is a complex issue with roots in social, cultural, and economic factors that can contribute to nicotine addiction. Additionally, nicotine's ability to stimulate the mind and promote feelings of relaxation can create a positive feedback loop that makes it difficult to quit. Unfortunately, there is limited research on the effects of smoking on Nesfatin-1 levels. However, one study found that women who smoke tend to have lower levels of Nesfatin-1. To build on this finding, the present study aims to further investigate nesfatin-1 levels in both smokers and non-smokers.

Methods: A total of 70 participants, smokers (n=35) and non-smokers (n=35), were included in the study. The participant's gender, age, height and weight, body mass index, and nesfatin-1 levels were measured and compared.

The SPSS 23.0 program was used to evaluate the data statistically. Data were evaluated with a t-test. The error level was taken as 0.05.

Result: Serum Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly higher in smokers (13.73± 3.11) than in non-smokers (8.63 ± 0.91) (t=-9.315, p<0.01). No significant difference was found between other parameters in the smoker and non-smoker groups.

Conclusion: Our study has shown that individuals who smoke display higher levels of Nesfatin-1 compared to non-smokers, indicating a correlation between smoking and Nesfatin-1. However, further investigation is required to understand the mechanism behind this increase. It is hoped that continued research will unveil the potential of Nesfatin-1 in treating human obesity.
Information Systems for Useful Innovation in Enterprises. Editorial Introduction to Issue 37 of CSIMQ
Authors: Laurenzi Emanuele
Published: December 2023

Innovation contributes to the economic and societal growth of nations, it creates new jobs, new business models, and new revenue streams as well as allows for the resolution of ever-evolving human needs. Enterprises that aim to thrive in the market must allocate resources and time to innovate besides the usual productivity focus. Innovating, however, is a very challenging task because it requires a high level of knowledge and creativity. Digital transformation (DT), in turn, is the process of adoption and use of digital technologies by an enterprise and sets the scenes for innovation. Further, to be useful for enterprises, innovation solutions should be incorporated into well-established company realities, which is a grand challenge nowadays. Methodological approaches are essential to tackle such a grand challenge. The Information Systems (IS) discipline, which is continuously involved in building its research knowledge base that is relevant to practice, is at the forefront for the creation of methodological approaches for useful innovation in enterprises, which is the central theme of this issue of CSIMQ.
Information Security Management in Small Public Sector Organizations: Requirements and Design of a Procedural Approach
Authors: Moses Frank , Sandkuhl Kurt
Published: December 2023

The increasing digitalization of enterprises and public authorities has resulted in the growing importance of information technology in everyday operations. In this context, an information security management system (ISMS) has become an essential aspect for most organizations. The dependency on technology for almost every single process in an organization has put ISMS at the top of the corporate agenda of public sector organizations. For public organizations in particular, the NIS 2 Directive describes abstract requirements for the development of an ISMS. On the other hand, only a few public administrations operate an ISMS. In this context, this article analyses the requirements of the NIS-2 Directive and complements them with the obstacles and reasons for success in the introduction of ISMS in small public sector organizations (SPSO). At the same time, minimum requirements should be defined that help municipal administration set up an ISMS quickly and easily. This article summarizes the different requirements and generates a foundation for a rough procedural model, for implementing the upcoming requirements of the NIS 2 Directive in local governments. The article also presents the conceptual design of the procedural model.
Proposta de objetivos estratégicos para o departamento de tecnologia da informação e comunicação da prefeitura de parauapebas: uma aplicação de fundamentos do Balanced Scorecard (BSC)
Authors: Paixão Eliene de Nazaré Nascimento , Barata Mariana Pereira Carneiro , Da Silva Rubens Cardoso , De Sá José Alberto Silva , Serra Claudio Mauro Vieira
Published: December 2023

Atualmente, um dos principais objetivos das organizações é alcançar melhorias no desempenho organizacional. Ao mesmo tempo, elas estão inseridas em um contexto de incertezas e complexidade que exige flexibilidade frente às exigências e às transformações do ambiente. Nesse contexto, a elaboração de um planejamento estratégico adequado às características e pretensões da organização é essencial. O BSC é uma metodologia que auxilia na formulação do planejamento e na definição de objetivos estratégicos para as organizações, sejam elas do setor privado ou público. Assim, este estudo busca fazer uso dessa metodologia para desenvolver propostas de objetivos para o departamento de tecnologia da informação e comunicação da Prefeitura de Parauapebas. Para tanto, fez-se uso de pesquisa documental, observação participante e reuniões presenciais com a aplicação da técnica de brainstorming, buscando reunir informações que proporcionassem a elaboração desses objetivos. Por fim, pôde-se perceber que o BSC é um instrumento capaz de auxiliar o departamento em estudo no desenvolvimento de um planejamento estratégico eficiente, proporcionando uma visão sistêmica da organização e a visualização da estratégia por meio das relações de causa-efeito entre os objetivos propostos, demonstrados por meio do mapa estratégico.
Industrial process simulation applying chronoanalysis and line balancing: a study case
Authors: Da Silva Raine Nascimento , Damm Djoille Denner , Carvalho João Luiz Carneiro , De Souza Nilmar , Lora Fábio André , Martins Luís Oscar Silva , Santos André de Mendonça , Santos Adillys Marcelo da Cunha , Almeida Kalil Figueiredo
Published: December 2023

The escalating competitiveness in the market has driven companies to continually seek methods that optimize their production processes, rendering them more flexible to facilitate waste reduction and to enhance manufacturing agility. This work herein applied process engineering tools combined with computer simulation to optimize a production line with a more balanced production, mitigating idleness, and increasing productivity. The methodology used the "Tecnomatix® Plant Simulation" software for modeling and simulating industrial reality, intending to reduce error margins and the risk of operational failures during the process flow. The proposal resulted in both decreased idleness and labor requirements across production lines, facilitating the establishment of a third customization line to augment the company's flexibility. Furthermore, the proposed methodology demonstrates its efficacy by not only increasing productivity but also enhancing production capacity on the factory floor thereby reducing variability through balanced operational tasks.
FLAG Regimen and Bortezomib: A Study of Eight Cases with Relapsed Leukaemia
Authors: Khan Afaq , Roshan Reshma , Geelani Sajad Ahmed , Rathod Santosh Govind , Chozakade Aakash , Bhat Javid Rasool , Sherook J
Published: December 2023

Historically, relapsed and refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) have been associated with a dismal prognosis. Relapse-refractory ALL is associated with cure rates of <10% in adults and 30% in the paediatric population. Similarly, the five-year survival rates for relapsed and refractory AML are only 10%. This case series describes eight patients with relapsed/refractory leukaemia (6 with ALL and 2 with AML) who received the FLAG-Bortezomib protocol from January 2021 to August 2022. In this case series, the authors investigated the remission rate and toxicity of the regimen, including Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions and the incidence of neutropenic sepsis. In the present study, the rates of culture-positive sepsis and High Dependency Unit (HDU) admission were 50% (4/8) and 37.5% (3/8), respectively, with no post-chemotherapy mortality in this cohort. Morphologic remission was documented in 87.5% (7/8) of cases, and negative minimal residual disease was achieved in 62.5% (5/8), with 100% (2/2) remission in those with AML. One patient with ALL experienced disease progression during treatment. The FLAG with Bortezomib protocol induces remission in relapsed and refractory ALL and AML patients with an acceptable toxicity profile. This protocol requires rigorous blood product support in the form of packed red blood cells, platelet-rich plasma, and single-donor platelet apheresis. It serves as a bridge to stem cell transplant.
Role of Intestinal Microbiota in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer: A Narrative Review
Authors: Menon Sharanya , Adhit Kanishk K , Shukla Samarth , Acharya Sourya
Published: December 2023

The human gut microbiota forms a biome and acts as a neglected organ, playing vital roles in organ integrity, metabolism, immunity, and homeostasis. Variations in the microbiome can lead to disease initiation. Research using bacterial sequencing of faeces and digestive tissues has focused on understanding the role of gut microbiota in cancer development, particularly Colorectal Cancer (CRC), Dysbiosis and modifications in the intestinal microbiota have been observed in CRC cases. Hypotheses like the alpha bug hypothesis and the driver-passenger model aim to explain the correlation between gut microbiota and CRC pathogenesis. The present article summarise the functions of gut microbiota, mechanisms involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, and discusses the clinical significance of gut microbiota in CRC screening and therapy
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of 3.8% Silver Diamine Fluoride as a Root Canal Irrigant against Enterococcus Faecalis in Primary Teeth: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Sasidhar Vajrala , Arali Veena , Harika Rapala , Swapnika Vegi , Sritha Kolluri
Published: December 2023

Introduction: During a pulpectomy, the infected or inflamed pulp tissues are removed, and the root canal is thoroughly cleaned with mechanical instrumentation and copious irrigation. Various endodontic irrigants are available, such as Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl), Chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate, Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA), Mixture of doxycycline, citric acid, and a detergent (MTAD), etc. Among these, CHX gluconate is widely used as an endodontic irrigant and medicament due to its antibacterial effect and substantivity. Enterococcus faecalis is the most common bacterial species found in necrotic teeth, with high viability and antibiotic resistance. A 3.8% Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) has antimicrobial properties and has been shown to eliminate E. faecalis from the root canals of permanent teeth. However, there are no studies in the literature that have evaluated its efficacy as a root canal irrigant in primary teeth. Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of 3.8% SDF against E. faecalis in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: This was a in-vivo double-blinded randomised clinical trial conducted at Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, GSL Dental College and Hospital, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India in children aged 3-8 years old. The study included 60 primary teeth that required pulpectomy. The teeth were divided into two groups and irrigated: 30 teeth with 3.8% SDF (Group I) and 30 teeth with 2% CHX (Group II). In all cases, two microbiological samples were taken using sterile absorbent paper points: the first after access opening and the second after the final irrigation. All samples were assessed using the agar plate method. The results were analysed statistically using a Student's paired t-test. Results: After analysing the pre- and postirrigation samples, there was a statistically significant reduction in Colony Forming Units (CFU)mL (p<0.05) in both groups. When comparing the two groups, no statistical difference was observed in the percentage reduction of bacterial colonies (p>0.05). Conclusion: The reduction in CFU/mL of E. faecalis was comparable in both groups. Thus, 3.8% SDF can be used as an alternative root canal irrigant to 2% CHX.
Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy Memory Strategy Education Group Intervention on Memory Difficulties and Activities of Daily Living Performance among the Geriatric Population: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Vishnupriya V
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Memory deficits are one of the common indications of cognitive aging, and they are an essential component for completing day-to-day activities in an effective, timely, and safe manner. Disturbances in memory can have a major impact on an individual’s performance in all areas of occupation. Memory alterations have a substantial influence on numerous elements of everyday living, including sentiments and conceptions of self, connections with others, participation in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and engagement in leisure activities. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of an occupational therapy Memory Strategy Education Group (MSEG) intervention on memory difficulties and its impact on ADL performance among the geriatric population. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental pre-post-test pilot study was conducted at Department of Occupational Therapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 10 participants aged 60 years and above were recruited from a community setting through convenience sampling and were divided into an experimental group (n=5) and a control group (n=5). The experimental group participants received MSEG intervention, while the control group participants received conventional occupational therapy memory intervention for three weeks. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Contextual Memory Test (CMT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were used to measure occupational performance, memory, and ADL. The outcome measure scores within groups were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the comparison of outcome measures between the groups was analysed using the MannWhitney U test. An alpha level of p=0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 24.0 version was used to analyse the data. Results: In the present study, a total of 10 participants from the age group of 60-75 years (mean age=67.4 years) were included, and each group (control and experimental) consisted of five participants (3 males and 2 females). The results showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in COPM-Performance and CMT (p=0.032; p=0.018, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in FIM (p=0.347). Further analysis revealed a clinically significant difference between the control and experimental groups in post-test scores. Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that the MSEG intervention is effective in improving memory difficulties in the geriatric population but had a lesser effect on improving ADL performance.
Assessing the Multi-Dimensional Challenges Faced by Bikaner Farmers during the COVID-19 Pandemic through Sentimental Analysis
Authors: Aravindh Kumar S.  , Verma R. K. , Kumari Vandana
Published: December 2023

Aims: This study aims to unravel the intricate challenges farmers confront in the aftermath of COVID-19, delving into the effects on agricultural extension services and the marketing of agricultural products.

Study Design:  Ex-Post facto research design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done by collecting data from farmers in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, between July 2022 and August 2022.

Methodology: The study gathered 586 responses through open-ended survey questions from 250 farmers, and a meticulous data-cleaning process reduced the constraints to 316. Sentiment analysis using Azure Machine Learning identified 136 highly negative statements, further refined through factor analysis into nine groups comprising 123 constraints. This rigorous methodology enhances precision, providing a nuanced understanding of farmers' challenges in agricultural extension services and product vending during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentiment analysis score reflects the severity of constraints faced by farmers.

Results: The livestock and their management dimension scored the lowest (0.212), reflecting significant obstacles such as cattle deaths and declining milk prices. Following closely, disruptions in agricultural services (0.218) underscored difficulties in accessing crucial services and a decline in input quality. Labor and workforce challenges (0.226) included shortages and healthcare difficulties while marketing and transporting constraints (0.231) highlighted problems like increased post-harvest losses and market closures. Financial challenges (0.233) involved limited access to relief funds and cooperative closures.

Conclusion: Through systematic constraint identification, sentiment analysis, and factor analysis, this study unveils nuanced insights into farmers' challenges during the pandemic, enriching our understanding of agricultural resilience. The refined constraints underscore the severity and diverse nature of obstacles farmers face in COVID-19.
Evaluation of the Effects of Some Metal Chlorides on the Initial Reaction Rate of Crude Peroxidase from Watermelon Peels
Authors: Iniaghe O. M. , Ibukun O.
Published: December 2023

Aims: This study evaluates the effect of some chloride on the initial reaction rates of crude peroxidase from watermelon peels.
Study Design:  In vitro enzyme assay.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria between April 2021 and June 2021.
Methodology: The kinetics of crude peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of 3,5,3′,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of varying concentrations of different chloride salts and hydrogen peroxidase was determined spectrophotometrically at 655nm. The assay mixture contained 2.3 mL of sodium phosphate buffer of pH 7.0, 0.1 mL of a crude enzyme from the watermelon peels, 0.2 mL of varying concentration of the respective chloride salts, 0.2 mL of 0.02 mM TMB, and 0.2 mL of 2 mM hydrogen peroxidase added last to start the reaction.
Results: Results showed that chloride salts of Pb2+ Hg2+ Fe2+ and Na+ had peroxidase activating effects at low salt concentration (1 mM). The activating effect increased proportionately up to their respective optimum salt concentration.  Further increment of salt concentration above their respective optimum value lead to a decrease in initial reaction rate of the crude enzyme. Within a chloride concentration range of 0.025 mM to 3 mM, the highest activating effect recorded was in the order Pb2+ > Fe2+ > Na+ > Hg2+.. Results show that Pb2+ had the highest enzyme activating effect at the lowest concentration (0.5 mM) of the salt when compared with other salts within the same concentration range.
Conclusion: These findings are of great significance in research to understanding the mechanism of action of peroxidase from the peels of watermelon, especially as the search for cheap and alternative sources of peroxidases continues.
Effect of Shifting Cultivation on Soil health and Microbial Diversity in Junnar Taluka of Pune District
Authors: Vasudevan P. , Jaybhaye R. G. , Panicker S.
Published: December 2023

Background: Swidden cultivation, slash and burn cultivation, and bush-fallow agriculture are other names for shifting cultivation. Around the world, its name is different. Crop type and farming methods have an impact on the physico-chemical properties of the soil. Soil health is also influenced by the quantity and biomass of microorganisms present.

Aims: The goal of the current study was to determine how soil bacterial communities and soil quality in Pune district's western ghat region were affected by shifting farming.

Study Design: 18 soil samples from 4 villages of the Junnar tehsil were collected after harvesting the cultivated crop.

Place and Duration of Study: The sample was collected within the 2 to 4 acres of the shifting cultivation plots identified in the villages in the western ghat region of Pune district.

Methodology: The soil samples were collected after harvesting every crop and from the fallow land. Analysis of Physico–Chemical properties of soil samples was performed. Bacteria were isolated and identified from the soil samples. Statistical analysis was done to interpret the obtained results.

Results: The fallow land and crop (Varai, Khursani, Sawa, Nachani, and Hulga) harvested soils were among the soil samples. Different numbers of ten distinct bacterial genuses were isolated from each soil. When compared to fallow soil, the Total Viable Count (TVC) of the crop harvest soil was shown to have significantly dropped. It was also discovered that certain soil characteristics improved throughout the fallow period.

Conclusion: The results pointing out the importance of the length of the fallowing on the soil health and thus on the crop yield.
Oscillatory Solution of a Convolutional Volterra Integral Equation
Authors: Otoo Henry , Obeng-Denteh William , Brew Lewis
Published: December 2023

Oscillatory solutions play a pivotal role in understanding functional differential and integral equations, offering insights into the behaviour of these equations' solutions, and assisting in understanding their growth, stability, and convergence properties. This study establishes the oscillatory solution of a convolutional Volterra integral equation using mathematical proofs. Theorems for oscillatory solutions are proposed and proven based on well-defined assumptions, along with an illustrated example. The proofs presented herein reveal that the convolutional Volterra integral equation can exhibit oscillatory or non-oscillatory behavior, contingent upon the characteristics of the function within the integral.
Maternal Hemoglobin Levels as a Causative Factor in Incidence of Low Birth Weight Babies: A Public Health Prospective
Authors: Daroedono Ekarini , Haloho Aurelia Evina , Fatimatuzzahra Restu
Published: December 2023

Aims: To analyze some aspects of the maternal and the newborn in the incidence of low birth weight babies (LBWB).

Study Design: simple retrospective with cross-sectional design approach.

Place and Duration of Study: Retrospective data of LBWB obtained from newborn medical record (year 2017-2022) of The Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Tebo Regional Public Hospital, located in Jambi-Indonesia and analysis conducted in the Departemen Kedokteran Komunitas (Community Medicine), the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta Indonesia, between September-November 2023.

Methodology: The inclusion criteria focus on all newborn with LBWB that have complete medical record data. The acquired data regarding (1) maternal age, gestational age at the time of giving birth, Hb level prior to delivery, (2) newborn: gender, survivability and birth weight. All respondents will be subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS programme and Microsoft Excel 2016. The exhibited information consists of data distribution presented in the form of tables and utilising univariate analysis and regression testing.

Results: Analysis of 256 LBWB data (122 (47.65%) boys, 134 (52.34%) girls) revealed that in the maternal side mean age 28.54 years old, mean gestational age 36.07 weeks at the time of giving birth and mean Hb level 10.8 gram/dL. In the newborn side viability were 226 (88.33%) viable and mean overall birth weight 1990.2 g. Statistically using Pearson correlation, there is a very weak correlation firstly among maternal Hb count with the neonates primary weight (P = 0.00, r = 0.154) and secondly between gestational age and the birth weight of newborn (P = 0.00, r = 0.000). From the community medicine perspective, Efforts to increase the Hb levels of pregnant women theoretically can be carried out more easily by encouraging and increasing the mother's and also their partners, families and society awareness of carrying out routine antenatal care, encouraging the role of health motivator/local health cadre and conducting Hb examination as simple screening; all of them supported by the government.

Conclusion: Maternal low Hb count and gestational age correlate with birth weight of newborn. Further in depth and extensive study needed to explore specific factors contribute to the incidence of anemia in mother who gave birth neonates which have low birth weight (LBW) and their impact to pregnancy.
Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. On the Expression of Germination and Growth of Agricultural Seeds
Authors: Rajendra Mhaiskar Priya , Reddy Milkuri Chiranjeeva , Podishetti Varun C , Reddy Bheemreddyvalla Venkateshwar , Naveen Yerrawada , Ravivarma D. , Ashwitha Bestha , Shakati Swamynath , Bargavi Tumma
Published: December 2023

Aim: This laboratory experiment was conducted to test the effect of allelopathy by Eucalyptus tereticornis aqueous leaf extracts on the germination and growth of Agricultural seeds i.e., Arachis hypogaea, Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata and Zea mays as to test for suitable agroforestry system.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design.

Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Agroforestry and Soil Science, Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.

Methodology: The aqueous leaf extracts of varied concentration [0 (Distilled water), 25, 50, 75 and 100% (m/v) %] prepared were tested against germination percent, relative germination percent, growth and relative allelopathic effect on the aforesaid agricultural seeds.

Results: The bioassay revealed that there was significant turndown in parameters tested. Control being the one relatively high performing, with increase in the concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts the germination rate, root length, shoot length, and dry weights reduced in all the other crops treatments tested.

Conclusion: The experiment attributes that leaching of allelochemicals from the leaves into the assay caused inhibitory effect on the seed germination and growth.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Various Decomposers in Sugarcane Trash Composting
Authors: Sangeetha S. , Yamunarani K. , Malini N. , Dhanushkodi V. , Shenbagavalli S. , Chitra K. , Dhanalakshmi K.
Published: December 2023

Sugarcane produces about 10 to 12 tonnes of dry leaves per hectare per crop. The detrashing is done during its growth period. This trash contains organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. The sugarcane trash incorporation in the soil influences physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. There is a reduction in soil EC, improvement in the water holding capacity, better soil aggregation and thereby improves porosity in the soil. Villupuram district one of the highest sugarcane producing district in Tamil Nadu. The farmers in this district are not aware about the sugarcane trash composting and burning the trashes in the field itself. Burning of sugarcane trash is a hazardous practice which has affected soil health, air, human health etc. leading to massive impact as well as monetary losses. The present study aimed at assessing the various decomposers in sugarcane trash. the average compost yield of TNAU Biomineralizer is 1.04 ton whereas the compost yield of Waste decomposer is 1.23 tonnes and which is 18 % increase over TNAU Biomineralizer. Regarding the duration of composting process, the waste decomposer taken only 63 days in an average to decompose the sugarcane trash whereas TNAU biomineralizer taken 73 days in average to decompose the sugarcane trash. The composting process is faster in waste decomposer applied sugarcane heap than the TNAU Biomineralizer applied heap. The C:N ratio of TNAU bio mineralizer applied sugarcane trash was 28:1 whereas the C:N ratio of waste composer applied sugarcane trash was 25:1. Composting process is faster in waste decomposer applied sugarcane heap than the TNAU Biomineralizer applied heap. The compost yield was also comparatively high in waste decomposer applied sugarcane heap.
Development of New Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Cultivar Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose D. Chakraborty, J. Swamy & D. Singh in West Bengal, India
Authors: Chakraborty Deep , Swamy Jetti , Singh Devendra
Published: December 2023

Hibiscus has a unique and wide range of colors ranging from brown, purple, white, pink, red, orange, yellow, etc. Many cultivars introduced from various countries were adapted to Indian conditions, of which suitable elegant cultivars Hibiscus rosa- sinensis L. ‘Valentine's Day’ (female pod parent) and Hibiscus rosa- sinensis L. ‘Moorea Memory of July’ (male pollen parent) were selected and hybridized. Hybrid seeds from the female parent were collected, germinated, and grown to the flowering stage. The developed cultivar was named after a great Indian scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose (H. rosa-sinensis cv. Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose). A detailed development of the new cultivar with photographs is discussed.
Mitigating the Risks of Herb-Drug Interaction among Artisans in Ibadan Metropolis Through Public Health Education Survey
Authors: Ogbole Omonike O. , Ipingbemi Aduke E. , Olayinka Olabimpe O. , Akinbobola Esther O. , Molik Zainab A. , Ajayi Temitayo O. , Ajala Tolulope O. , Akinsiku Kemisola , Oluyedun Hamidu
Published: December 2023

Background: Globally, there has been an increase in the use of herbal medicines with the general misconception that herbal medicines are absolutely effective and safe. Many people often use herbs concomitantly with orthodox medicines and this may lead to fatal complications of herb-drug interactions. This cross-sectional survey assesses the knowledge and attitude of teachers and artisans on the use of herbal medicine and the possible occurrence of herb-herb and herb-drug interactions.

Method: A semi-structured questionnaire was used which covered demographics, cultural categorization of herbal medicine used, socio-economic factors (SEF), reason(s) for herbal medicine use, knowledge of herb-herb (HHI) and herb-drug interactions (HDI) and, and attitude to herbal medications (AHM) of the respondents. Data were entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: There were 277 respondents, comprising 93 teachers, 77 drivers, and 107 mechanics. The response rate was 95.1%. Seventy-two (77.4%) teachers, 56 (72.7%) drivers and 101 (94.4%) mechanics use herbal medicine for infectious diseases while 57 (61.3%) teachers, 20 (26.0%) drivers and 83 (77.6%) use herbal medicine for non-infectious diseases. Assessment of SEF shows that a significant number (p=0.04) of participants were encouraged by friends to use herbal medicines while 63 (67.7%) teachers, 57 (74.0%) drivers, and 84 (78.5%) mechanics preferred herbal medicine to hospital management because it is affordable. Assessment of HHI shows 81 (75.7%) mechanics are aware of HHI, whereas 56 (72.7%) drivers and 69 (74.2%) teachers are not. Similarly, majority of the teachers (81, 87.1%) and drivers (47, 61.0%) were not aware of the possible occurrence of HDI while a significant (p=0.03) number (76, 71.0%) of the mechanics were aware.

Conclusion: The respondents’ awareness of herb-herb and herb-drug interactions was poor. Public awareness program on the potential implications and health impact of herb-herb and herb-drug interactions is highly essential.
Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Antioxidant Activity of the Stem Bark of Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A.Juss., a Medicinal Plant from Northern Ivory Coast
Authors: Ouattara Gboko Abiba , Tidiane Kamagate , Dosso Kassim , Pascal Boni Ahoussi , Abdoulaye Toure , Claude Kablan Ahmont Landry
Published: December 2023

Aim: To highlight the phytochemical constituents and evaluate the antioxidant activity of the aqueous (KsA) and 70% hydroethanolic (KsE) extracts of the bark of Khaya senegalensis (a medicinal plant used in the north of Ivory Coast).
Study Design: The search for antioxidant molecules by scientists remains today a new alternative to overcome several pathologies linked to oxidative stress. The present study is a part of this perspective.
Methodology: Phytochemical screening was carried out by precipitation and/or staining methods. As for the antioxidant power of the extracts, it was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reduction method.
Results: Phytochemical screening results showed that KsE contains the following groups of secondary metabolites: sterols and terpenes, total polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The KsA extract contains the saponins and the same chemical composition as KsE without the alkaloids and terpene compounds. The DPPH test revealed significant antioxidant activity of the two extracts close to that of gallic acid (IC50 =3.6 ± 0.02 µg/mL) with IC50 of 6.4 ± 0.02 µg/mL and 7.5 ± 0.01 µg/mL for KsE and KsA respectively.
Conclusion: Ultimately, the richness of K. senegalensis extracts in secondary metabolites with antioxidant effects could be at the origin of its traditional use in the treatment of diseases.
Resilience in Adversity: Acapulco and the Aftermath of Otis Hurricane Category 5 of October 25, 2023
Authors: Niño-Gutiérrez Naú Silverio
Published: December 2023

Acapulco, a global tourist destination, faces challenges from frequent hydrometeorological events. This article examines its vulnerability and governmental responses to hurricanes. The study focuses on analyzing resilience in adversity through the case of Acapulco after Hurricane Otis category 5 from October 25, 2023. The objectives were to synthesize vulnerability and governmental responses to natural events in Acapulco, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and resilience. The methodology involved collection official data on climatic events, economic losses, and governmental responses. The evolution of the population and affected infrastructure was analyzed, focusing on specific cases such as Hurricane Otis. The results reveal an increase in vulnerability due to population growth and urban development without considering climatic risks. Despite governmental efforts in hurricane response, a lack of preparedness and risk communication impacted the city’s resilience. Therefore, the study will aim to extract lessons learned from the experience of Acapulco to provide practical recommendations for enhancing resilience in other communities facing similar disasters. Conclusions are as follows: 1) Acapulco’s vulnerability is heightened by growth without considering climatic risks; 2) governmental responses, though coordinated, need improvement in preparedness and risk communication; and 3) the key to sustainability lies in joining efforts, reducing vulnerability, and promoting resilience to extreme climatic events and 4) informing about the future strategy for disaster management and reconstruction in affected communities.
Exponentially stable adaptive optimal control of uncertain LTI systems
Authors: Glushchenko Anton , Lastochkin Konstantin
Published: December 2023

A novel method of an adaptive linear quadratic (LQ) regulation of uncertain continuous linear time‐invariant systems is proposed. Such an approach is based on the direct self‐tuning regulators design framework and the exponentially stable adaptive control technique developed earlier by the authors. Unlike the known solutions, a procedure is proposed to obtain a non‐overparametrized regression equation (RE) with respect to the unknown controller parameters from an initial RE of the LQ‐based reference tracking control system. On the basis of such result, an adaptive law is proposed, which under mild regressor finite excitation condition provides monotonous convergence of the LQ‐controller parameters to an adjustable set of their true values, which bound is defined only by the machine precision. Using the Lyapunov‐based analysis, it is proved that the mentioned law guarantees the exponential stability of the closed‐loop adaptive optimal control system. The simulation examples are provided to validate the theoretical contributions.
Electro‐Optic Topological Defect Devices Utilizing Nematic Liquid Crystal Binary Mixtures
Authors: Arif Mariam , Bano Afsar , Ulhaq Ata , Khan Ammar A.
Published: December 2023

Topological defects (TDs) manifest in many condensed matter systems. In liquid crystals (LCs), they occur as point or line singularities in the otherwise smooth director profile. Engineered and controllable TDs are of great interest for functional optoelectronic devices; however, the formation mechanism in patterned devices is not fully understood. In this work, electrically addressable TDs in doped mixtures of prototypical n‐alkyl‐cyanobiphenyl LCs 4‐cyano‐4′‐pentylbiphenyl (5CB) and 4‐cyano‐4′‐octylbiphenyl (8CB) are focused on. Doping concentrations of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) are varied and the effect of varying the host LC properties (through binary 5CB:8CB mixtures) on defect formation is studied. In the results, a strong correlation between LC “fluidity” and the ease of defect array formation is presented, with 0.5 wt% CTAB‐doped 5CB giving the best controllability/uniformity of TDs at low‐threshold voltages. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the devices can be utilized as electrically switchable optical diffractive elements. In these findings, directions are mapped out that future studies can take in designing deterministic, electrically or magnetically tunable TD‐based photonic devices using LC systems.
Radiological characteristics of skeletal growth in neonates and infants with achondroplasia
Authors: Miyahara Daisuke , Hasegawa Kosei , Ago Yuko , Futagawa Natsuko , Miyahara Hiroyuki , Higuchi Yousuke , Yamada Kazuki , Tetsunaga Tomonori , Moriwake Tadashi , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tsukahara Hirokazu
Published: December 2023

Achondroplasia (ACH) is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia characterized by a rhizomelic short stature. Radiological skeletal findings in pediatric and adult patients with ACH include short long bones, a relatively longer fibula compared to the tibia, a narrow lumbar interpedicular distance, and a hypoplastic iliac wing. Nonetheless, the characteristics of skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods have scarcely been explored. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to analyze the radiological skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods in 41 Japanese patients with genetically confirmed ACH. The length of long bones in the upper and lower limbs and the lumbar interpedicular distances at L1 and L4 were measured. These parameters showed significant positive correlations with age. The upper segment‐to‐lower segment ratio in the lower limbs resembled the data of healthy controls from previous reports. The L1/L4 and fibula/tibia ratios increased with age, suggesting that some representative skeletal phenotypes of ACH were less distinct during the neonatal and infantile periods. In conclusion, for the first time, this study radiologically characterized skeletal growth during the neonatal and infantile periods of patients with genetically confirmed ACH.