bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Tam To Brian , Roy Roman , Melikian Narbeh , Gaughran Fiona P , O’Gallagher Kevin
Published: April 2023

Severe mental illnesses (SMI), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are associated with a decrease in life expectancy of up to two decades compared with the general population, with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death. SMI is associated with increased cardiovascular risk profile and early onset of incident cardiovascular disease. Following an acute coronary syndrome, patients with SMI have a worse prognosis, but are less likely to receive invasive treatment. In this narrative review, the management of coronary artery disease in patients with SMI is discussed, and avenues for future research are highlighted.
Koenig, H. G., Carey, L. B., and Al Zaben, F. (2022). Spiritual Readiness: Essentials for Military Leaders and Chaplains
Authors: Saunders John
Published: April 2023

Koenig, H. G., Carey, L. B., and Al Zaben, F. (2022). Spiritual Readiness: Essentials for Military Leaders and Chaplains. New York: Amazon Books, 290pp. (pbk). ISBN: 9798840830093.
From monologue to dialogue
Authors: Studer Patrick , Kelly Paul
Published: April 2023

Interaction undoubtedly is key to learning in higher education. It is particularly relevant in an English medium instruction (EMI) setting when students use a foreign language for learning as it provides important opportunities for the negotiation of meaning. In this article, we present and critically discuss EMI teacher training interventions in Switzerland designed to encourage dialogic interaction in the EMI classroom. EMI teacher training interventions, in the case of this study, rely on the EMI teaching competence reference framework outlined in Studer (2018). Through observations, (self-)assessments and surveys, teachers are assessed against four levels of attention to language in their classes, ranging from a focus on mutual comprehension to dialogue and the formal integration of language into the content of their classes. The paper shows that many EMI teachers tend to be more concerned with basic language and monologic competence, while sidelining dialogic competence. The paper will also show that the mental switch required to move the focus from ‘stage performance’ and self-awareness to authentic dialogue represents a significant challenge for our training programmes.
Pronunciation in EMI
Authors: Gómez-Lacabex Esther , Roothooft Hanne
Published: April 2023

The consolidation of English as a global language has brought with it the need to reconceptualise aspects such as English pronunciation, which seems to be experiencing a detachment from the native norm and the integration of multicultural identities. EMI students have been reported to favour intelligibility over accurate pronunciation, as they represent a community of learners for whom English is a tool rather than a target. As previous research has reported that pronunciation may be an anxiety factor for students in speaking exchanges, this study explored how 126 EMI students envision the learning of pronunciation, their attitudes towards EMI teachers’ pronunciation and their pronunciation anxiety upon interaction with different interlocutors in their EMI context: teachers, local peers, L1 English international peers and L2 English international peers. The data from a questionnaire and focus groups revealed that these EMI learners conceptualize pronunciation as a communication tool rather than a subject to be learnt; they revealed that they do not experience uneasiness during lessons owing to their lecturers’ pronunciation, expressing that fluency is more important than pronunciation accuracy. Finally, they showed more pronunciation anxiety if the interlocutor was the teacher or an L1 English speaker than if it was a local peer or L2 English speaker.
Power – 3 Heronian - K Mean Labeling Graphs
Authors: Samukthaa R M , Suganthi C
Published: April 2023

A function say, α:V(G) →{k+0,k+1,k+2,...k+y}; for an undirected graph G = (V, E) Where V & E have x vertices & y edges respectively is called Power – 3 Heronian – k Mean Labeling of a graph. A graph which owns Power – 3 Heronian –
k Mean Labeling is known as Power – 3 Heronian - k Mean Labeling Graph. Here we have discussed Power – 3 Heronian - k Mean Labeling of some standard graphs like Path Pn, Comb Pn ⊙ K1, Triangular Snake Tn and Quadrilateral Snake Qn.
Modification in Connected Graph with Satisfying the Gallai's Property Under Eighteen Vertices Including The Novel Concept of Mobius Strip
Authors: Mallah Rabnawaz , Soomro Inayatullah
Published: April 2023

The studies of graph, structure and mathematical molecule have pair wise relationship among each other is said to be the graph theory. It is an important part of discrete mathematics, which is made up of by vertex called the nodes or points and edges so called links or lines, if the
graph has symmetrically lines or links, created as a undirected graph whereas the links joined asymmetrically creates direct graph. There are so many kinds of graph; Hypo-Hamiltonian graph has its own identity it can be defined as a graph if it has not itself a Hamiltonian cycle but each graph
developed by eliminating with a single vertex from the graph is Hamiltonian. Naeem Ahmed Kalhoro has worked on "A Two-Connected Graph with Gallai's Property"In his research paper he has applied the property and has found the longest path and cycle in the graph which contains 12 vertices and
in the modification of above work we have developed a graph on 18 vertices and have tried to find the longest cycle and path in the proposed graph.
Study on Intuitionistic B# - Open Sets in Intuitionistic Topological Spaces
Authors: Velraj C. , Rani R. Jamuna
Published: April 2023

The main objective of this paper is to introduce the concept Intuitionistic b # -open sets in intuitionistic topological spaces. Various properties and characteristics are given.
An Enhanced Item Recommendation Approach Using the Sigmoid Function and Jaccard Similarity Coefficient
Authors: Ismail Shiraz , Abdul-Barik Alhassan , Abdul-Mumin Salifu
Published: April 2023

Based on prior interactions between users and service items, recommendation systems have developed into practical tools for filtering and obtaining vital data. These systems are often used in a range of commercial industries, including e-commerce, tourism, social networking, and academic
research. Collaborative filtering, content-based filtering, and hybrid recommender systems are the three main categories of recommender systems. Collaborative filtering recommender systems, which presume that users would be interested in products that users similar to them have highly rated,
take into consideration users' tastes (in terms of item preferences). Content-based filtering recommender systems base their recommendations on the textual content of a product, using the assumption that customers would prefer items that are similar to those they have previously enjoyed. In
a hybrid recommender system, two techniques are combined. These systems struggle with scalability, data sparsity, and cold starts, which leads to low-accuracy prediction and coverage. In this study, we proposed a unique recommendation method and applied the sigmoid function to the Jaccard
similarity index. In our proposed method, which included the rating significance of items, we used the sigmoid function on the Jaccard similarity index to evaluate the asymmetry relationship between users. The similarity between the target user and his or her neighbours is then assessed using
the asymmetric association and rating significance. Several cuttingedge similarity metrics are evaluated using experiments on three real-world data sets. The results show that the new similarity model performs better than the baseline models in terms of diversity and prediction accuracy.
Time-dependent viscous behaviour of shear-thinning/shear-thickening cement pastes
Authors: Rubio-Hernández Francisco José , Naranjo-Herrera Luis Fernando , Páez-Flor Nicolás Marcelo , Velázquez-Navarro José Francisco
Published: April 2023

According to what is extensively and logically assumed, a better anti-thixotropic behaviour than thixotropy was expected for shear-thickening cement pastes. However, the shear-thickening Portland and volcanic cement pastes studied here showed apparent thixotropic behaviour when step-up tests were performed. This unexpected result was tentatively justified assuming that, just at the beginning of the step-stress, virtually instantaneous particle aggregation (for step-up tests) and disaggregation (for step-down tests) take place. In other words, the existence of fast jamming or unblocking mechanisms developed by shear-thickening cement pastes was hypothesised. Then, it was supposed that the initial reorganisation of cement particles was followed by a progressive erosion of the jammed state (step-up) or progressive aggregation of the unblocking state (step-down) due to the constant action of shear stress. These ideas were used to model an empirical equation for the dependence of viscosity on shear stress, which can be used for cement applications.
Reassessing variations in the small-strain stiffness of London Clay
Authors: Le Truong , Standing Jamie , Potts David
Published: April 2023

High-quality rotary core samples of natural London Clay were taken during installation of subsurface instrumentation to monitor the ground response at Hyde Park, London, to the construction of Crossrail tunnels. An extensive programme of advanced triaxial tests was performed on specimens from London Clay divisions A3 to C. Detailed analysis of their response to undrained shearing in compression from their estimated in situ stress state provides new insights into the magnitude of and changes in stiffness at small- and medium-strain levels. A consistent trend in the variation of small-strain stiffness with depth and lithological division is established for the Hyde Park research site. Differences between the stiffness magnitudes from this investigation and those reported earlier by others are shown to be a result of the conditions before and during undrained shearing, particularly the ratio of shearing axial strain rate to the preceding creep strain rate. This provides an explanation for significant discrepancies in small-strain stiffness values reported in recent years, which have led to uncertainties regarding which values to adopt, particularly for numerical analysis applications. Understanding the relevance of the axial shearing to creep rate ratio allows for improved triaxial testing techniques and the subsequent interpretation of the test data.
Validation of eGFR for Detecting Associations Between Serum Protein Biomarkers and Subsequent GFR Decline
Authors: Enoksen Inger T. T. , Rinde Nikoline B. , Svistounov Dmitri , Norvik Jon V. , Solbu Marit D. , Eriksen Bjørn O. , Melsom Toralf
Published: April 2023

Significance Statement

eGFR from creatinine, cystatin C, or both has been primarily used in search of biomarkers for GFR decline. Whether the relationships between biomarkers and eGFR decline are similar to associations with measured GFR (mGFR) decline has not been investigated. This study revealed that some biomarkers showed statistically significant different associations with eGFR decline compared with mGFR decline, particularly for eGFR from cystatin C. The findings indicate that non–GFR-related factors, such as age, sex, and body mass index, influence the relationship between biomarkers and eGFR decline. Therefore, the results of biomarker studies using eGFR, particularly eGFRcys, should be interpreted with caution and perhaps validated with mGFR.

Background

Several serum protein biomarkers have been proposed as risk factors for GFR decline using eGFR from creatinine or cystatin C. We investigated whether eGFR can be used as a surrogate end point for measured GFR (mGFR) when searching for biomarkers associated with GFR decline.

Methods

In the Renal Iohexol Clearance Survey, GFR was measured with plasma iohexol clearance in 1627 individuals without diabetes, kidney, or cardiovascular disease at baseline. After 11 years of follow-up, 1409 participants had one or more follow-up GFR measurements. Using logistic regression and interval-censored Cox regression, we analyzed the association between baseline levels of 12 serum protein biomarkers with the risk of accelerated GFR decline and incident CKD for both mGFR and eGFR.

Results

Several biomarkers exhibited different associations with eGFR decline compared with their association with mGFR decline. More biomarkers showed different associations with eGFRcys decline than with eGFRcre decline. Most of the different associations of eGFR decline versus mGFR decline remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, but several were attenuated and not significant after adjusting for the corresponding baseline mGFR or eGFR.

Conclusions

In studies of some serum protein biomarkers, eGFR decline may not be an appropriate surrogate outcome for mGFR decline. Although the differences from mGFR decline are attenuated by adjustment for confounding factors in most cases, some persist. Therefore, proposed biomarkers from studies using eGFR should preferably be validated with mGFR.
Borders, Burials, and the Extended Mind in Early Medieval England: Genesis A and Apple Down
Authors: Bintley Michael D. J.
Published: April 2023

This article begins by considering the re-presentation of the Biblical landscape of the Binding of Isaac in the Old English text Genesis A. With reference to place-names, landscapes, and other texts, it demonstrates how this setting was presented as a place of cremation on a hilltop border. The poem may, for audiences living in the generations following the cessation of cremation burial, have served as a means of understanding earlier religious praxis. The article then considers a similar moment of cultural transition written into the conversion-era cemeteries at Apple Down in Sussex, similarly sited in a border region and on top of a hill. Here, a mixed-rite cremation and inhumation cemetery was succeeded by an inhumation cemetery set out in a novel fashion, likely reflecting changes in contemporary religious culture. Both the poem and the cemeteries at Apple Down, in marking these changes, can be understood within Material Engagement Theory, a theory of the Extended Mind, as ‘exograms’: material memory records external to the embodied human brain. The article considers both the poem and cemeteries in this light, and shows how exograms of various kinds might be used to assemble an exogrammar, here defined as a set of ideas distributed across one or more exograms. A framework of this kind, assembling evidence across a diverse range of material and textual sources, is presented as an adaptable method of investigation across disciplines in which various forms of evidence can be understood as residual components of embodied human minds.
Exosome-driven epigenetic modulation of histone proteins: Pioneering anti-oncogenic and skin health applications
Authors: Ekta Yadav , Niket Yadav , Katherine Vanta , Jagjit S Yadav
Published: April 2023

This article explores the use of exosomes in skin care and their potential for modifying epigenetic changes in fibroblasts and other immune regulatory cells of the skin. Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles that play a vital role in intercellular communication by transporting various biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. They are released by skin cells and contain various molecules that are essential for skin health, such as growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins. Recent studies have shown that exosomes can modify epigenetic changes in skin cells, particularly histones, and they have the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in various skin disorders. This article discusses the use of exosomes in skin care and their potential for modulating epigenetic changes in skin cells in response to environmental factors, with a focus on histone modifications.
Smart Engagement in Small Cities: Exploring Minority Participation in Planning
Authors: Kashem Shakil Bin , Gallo Dora
Published: April 2023

Smart engagement approaches are now widely applied in community planning processes. However, there continues to be a lack of representation from marginalized groups such as racial/ethnic minorities in planning processes. In this study, we explore what smart community engagement methods are being applied by small cities in the U.S., and how minority communities are participating in the planning process with those engagement methods. We analyzed planning documents and public engagement data from five small cities located in different regions of the U.S. with varying levels of minority populations. We evaluated the planning processes of the study cities, specifically comprehensive planning, and what smart community engagement tools they have applied. Our study shows that smart engagements are performed primarily through community surveys and online outreach initiatives. Despite adopting these approaches, most cities received lower participation from minority populations compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Cities with higher participation rates provided more engagement opportunities and conducted targeted community events and surveys to reach out to minority and low-income communities. From this study, we conclude that cities should apply varied methods for community engagement and should not rely solely on smart approaches to engage with minority communities. For cities to increase their overall civic participation, including those underrepresented, smart engagement approaches should be supported by targeted public events and outreach activities.
Fixation Techniques for Intraarticular Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Afanasiev Yuri A.
Published: April 2023

Background. The most severe type of injuries of the proximal epiphysis of the humerus are intraarticular fractures. One of the main complication is the development of avascular osteonecrosis, which is caused by the peculiarities of blood supply of the humeral head and its compromised vascularization as a result of trauma. Current osteosynthesis techniques for intraarticular fractures of the proximal humerus (PH) do not reduce the risk of avascular osteonecrosis of the humeral head (AONHH) and do not reduce the risk of nonunion. To prevent ischemic changes in the humeral head, osteosynthesis with reparative osteogenesis stimulation is recommended.
Aim of the study to specify indications for various fixation techniques of intraarticular fractures of the proximal humerus.
Methods. The study enrolled 48 patients with AO/ASIF type 11C1 and 11C2 intraarticular PH fractures requiring surgical treatment. All patients were allocated into 2 groups. Retrospective (control) group included 25 patients who were treated using locking plate osteosynthesis or intramedullary locking osteosynthesis with proximal humeral nails. Prospective (main) group included 23 patients who were additionally treated with a vascularized musculoskeletal graft from the coracoid process of the scapula transplanted to the fracture area.
Results. Functional treatment results of patients who underwent surgery using vascularized musculoskeletal grafts from the coracoid processes of the scapula (71.50% were excellent and 14.3% were good) were better than those of the control group (35.28% were excellent and 17.64% were good). Consolidation of the fracture in the control group occurred in 92% of cases (23 patients); the remaining 8% (2) of patients had pseudoarthrosis of the anatomical or surgical neck of the humerus developed within 6 months after the surgery. In the main group, the fractures consolidated in all patients.
Conclusion. Fractures with no damage to the bicipital groove should be considered an indication for performing plate osteosynthesis without vascularized musculoskeletal grafting. Locking osteosynthesis in case of intraarticular PH fractures makes it much more difficult to reduce the humeral head and the tubercular area. Locking osteosynthesis decreases the rigidity of fixation of fragments, which may contribute to their secondary displacement.
Empiema pleural por Parvimonas micra en un paciente inmunocompetente: reporte de un caso
Authors: Vilcarromero Stalin , Small Max , Lizarzaburu Alexis , Rivadeneyra-Rodriguez Abel
Published: April 2023

Se presenta el caso de un paciente joven inmunocompetente, con antecedente de tuberculosis pulmonar, que acude al hospital por un cuadro clínico subagudo de fiebre persistente, baja de peso, disnea y abolición del murmullo vesicular. La tomografía de tórax mostró un extenso empiema en hemitórax izquierdo. Se le toman muestras para detección de gérmenes comunes y se le colocan un tubo de drenaje torácico y se inicia antibioticoterapia. La prueba de MALDI-TOF MS identificó a Parvimonas micra, una bacteria anaerobia, comensal de la flora oral, asociado a periodontitis severa, escasamente reportado en empiema pleural, especialmente, en personas inmunocompetentes. En la evaluación odontológica se realizó el diagnóstico de gingivitis y pericoronaritis de la tercera molar. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente. Se sugiere que, en casos de empiemas pleurales subagudos o crónicos, se debe considerar, además de las micobacterias, como agente etiológico al Parvimonas micra, y optar por exámenes como MALDI-TOF MS o secuenciamiento del 16S rRNA, colocación de tubo de tórax, cobertura antibiótica empírica y evaluación odontológica.
Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de las muertes por dengue durante un brote en el norte del Perú
Authors: Luque Néstor , Cilloniz Catia , Pons María J. , Donaires Fernando , Albornoz Roger , Mendocilla-Risco Moisés , Espinoza Manuel
Published: April 2023

Con el objetivo de describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes fallecidos por dengue durante el 2017 en Piura, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de revisión de 24 historias clínicas. El 67% de los casos fueron mujeres y tres (12,5%) estaban embarazadas. La diabetes (12,5%) y la hipertensión (16,7%) fueron las comorbilidades más frecuentes. Sólo en el 12,5% se reportó dengue previo.El tiempo transcurrido desde asistencia sanitaria hasta la muerte fue de 4,10 (DE: 5,34) días. Se hicieron transfusiones de glóbulos rojos en el 45,8% de los casos, plasma en el 25%, plaquetas en el 16,8% ycrioprecipitado en el 16,8%. También fueron frecuentes la terapia con  ristaloides (91,7%) y el tratamiento con fármacos vasoactivos (70,8%). En conclusión, la mortalidad del dengue grave fue mayoritaria en las mujeres adultas y el tiempo de atención desde el primer establecimiento de salud hasta una unidad especializada fue prolongada.
El cumplimiento de los dictámenes de los comités de Naciones Unidas en España. ¿Imposibilidad jurídica o falta de voluntad política?
Authors: Montesinos Padilla Camen
Published: April 2023

En el debate doctrinal sobre los efectos jurídicos de los dictámenes de los órganos de tratados es habitual que salga a relucir su (imposible) comparación con las sentencias internacionales. Es propósito de estas páginas no solo incidir en la inconveniencia e inviabilidad de este paralelismo, sino, y, sobre todo, en los argumentos que nos permiten afirmar que la cuestión del incumplimiento de dichas resoluciones no depende tanto de una pretendida imposibilidad jurídica como de una clara falta de voluntad política. Para ello nos valdremos de los argumentos que nos ofrece el derecho internacional y de las exigencias y posibilidades de cumplimiento que nos brinda el ordenamiento español. Además, veremos que nuestros argumentos incluso se ven reforzados por la práctica de nuestras autoridades nacionales y órganos jurisdiccionales. En España, los dictámenes de los comités de Naciones Unidas no solo deben y son utilizados como parámetro exegético de nuestros derechos constitucionales, sino que han impulsado importantes reformas legislativas, e incluso podrían llegar a consolidarse como motivo para el reconocimiento de responsabilidad patrimonial del Estado.
Estabilización del sistema político y fractura interna de los partidos. Crónica política y legislativa del año 2022
Authors: Azpitarte Sánchez Miguel
Published: April 2023

La crónica del este año refleja, en primer lugar, la estabilización del sistema político, que ha recompuesto la pluralidad de partidos en dos bloques, liderados por el PSOE y el Partido Popular. Paradójicamente esta estabilización ha estado acompañada de la fractura interna de la mayoría de los partidos. También de la dificultad para alcanzar acuerdos de amplio espectro, lo que ha afectado especialmente al Consejo General del Poder Judicial y al Tribunal Constitucional. Sin embargo, en este contexto, la mayoría de gobierno ha podido desarrollar su programa. Destacan medidas de relevancia constitucional atinentes a la comunicación audiovisual, la memoria democrática, la igualdad y reformas penales vinculadas de manera directa con Cataluña. También ha podido dar respuesta a los problemas causados por la inflación
Refatorando o SimGrIP: um estudo de caso acerca da aplicação de técnicas de refatoração de software
Authors: Lima Carlos , Souza Gabriela Guedes , Chaves Luiz , Pereira Frederico , Siqueira Marcelo
Published: April 2023

A demanda dos clientes pela integração de mais funcionalidades ao software adquirido implica no aumento do tamanho e da complexidade do código fonte do programa de computador, prejudicando sua legibilidade e deteriorando sua estrutura inicial. Os padrões de projeto e as técnicas de refatoração servem de guia para o desenvolvedor na sua tarefa de manutenção do código. Com a finalidade de melhorar a estrutura interna do software SimGrIP, realizou-se a refatoração parcial de seu código, reestruturando uma de suas funcionalidades, a fim de se justificar a utilização desta técnica ao se comparar o código final e inicial, com base em critérios como legibilidade e acoplamento, constatando sua eficiência no processo de revitalização do software.
Diagnóstico e proposição de gerenciamento de resíduos para o Centro de Tecnologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba - João Pessoa
Authors: Nóbrega Claudia Coutinho , Coutinho Eugenio Côrte Real , Costa Magdalena Duarte , Gomes Heber Pimentel , Pimentel Cristine Helena Limeira
Published: April 2023

A Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) gera os mais diversos tipos de resíduos. Entretanto, a referida instituição não possui um plano de gerenciamento de resíduos e os mesmos são manuseados, acondicionados, coletados, tratados e/ou dispostos de forma aleatória. O objetivo deste estudo é realizar um diagnóstico e propor um plano de gerenciamento de resíduos para o Centro de Tecnologia (CT) da UFPB, contemplando um conjunto de ações, com relação ao acondicionamento, coleta, transporte, tratamento e disposição final. O trabalho foi realizado em todas as unidades do CT, como salas de aula, cantina, xérox, laboratórios, etc, que produz os mais diversos tipos de resíduos como: químicos, infectantes, papéis, matéria orgânica entre outros e, como sendo uma instituição de ensino, deve dar o exemplo de como gerenciar os resíduos produzidos, tendo em vista que estes quando são mal gerenciados causam sérios transtornos de ordem sanitária, social, econômica e ambiental.
Práticas disciplinares na instituição escolar: um mecanismo de controle na visão Foucaultiana
Authors: Andrade Adriana Araújo Costeira de , Aragão Jackelinne Maria De Albuquerque , Simões Myrta Leite
Published: April 2023

As práticas disciplinares, na visão Foucaultiana (1994), têm por finalidade à construção de sujeitos rápidos, ordeiros, eficientes, produtivos, úteis, disciplinados e dóceis. Dentro dessa perspectiva de pensamento teórico, elas têm se tornado mecanismos e dispositivos de vigilância, docilizando corpos e mentes nos mais diversos espaços sociais. Objetivando retratar esses mecanismos de disciplinamento, nos detemos, aqui, aos dispositivos de controle presentes no espaço social da instituição escolar. É, sobretudo na escola, que essas práticas disciplinares podem ser observadas nas mais variadas formas, desde a sujeição dos alunos em relação às normatizações ou às regras estabelecidas e ditadas pela escola até as práticas avaliativas mais diversas. O trabalho de pesquisa aqui apresentado é de caráter descritivo e se fundamenta, teoricamente, no conceito de prática disciplinar estabelecido por Foucault (1994). Os resultados demonstram que os efeitos de controle e de disciplinamento, presentes na instituição escolar, se revelam como uma forma de domesticação de sujeitos.
Modificações químicas na água de no ambiente edáfico após aplicação do biossólido e água residuária
Authors: Costa Fabiana Xavier , Beltrão Napoleão Esberard de Macedo , Lima Vera Lúcia Antunes de , Nunes Júnior Edivan Da Silva , Costa Sany Guedes
Published: April 2023

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as modificações químicas no ambiente edáfico e na água drenada, após aplicação de biossólido e irrigação com água residuária tratada. Depois a segunda cultura, prosseguiu-se um experimento iniciado no programa de pesquisa em saneamento básico (PROSAB) do departamento de engenharia civil da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, PB. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e três repetições, totalizando 21 unidades experimentais. Em esquema fatorial (2 x 3) + 1, representado por dois tipos de água (abastecimento e residuária tratada), usadas no experimento I com a cultura da mamona, (sendo que no experimento II com a cultura do milho utilizou-se apenas água de abastecimento) e três doses de biossólido: 0, 75, e 150 kg ha-1 e uma testemunha na qual se usou fertilizante químico na fórmula NPK. Para acompanhar o impacto dos insumos no solo, foram analisadas as características de micronutrientes, no final do experimento com a cultura do milho. Foram avaliadas nas águas utilizadas as concentrações de: matéria orgânica, (DQO) e nutrientes (nitrogênio amoniacal, fósforo total e ortofosfato solúvel). O solo que foi irrigado com água residuária no experimento anterior apresentou incremento de matéria orgânica, nitrogênio e fósforo.
An adaptive image steganography algorithm based on the use of non-cryptographic hash functions for data extraction
Authors:   Voronezh State University, Dryuchenko М.А.
Published: April 2023

An adaptive steganography algorithm for data hiding in full-color images based on iterative introduction of minor distortions into blocks of container images and the use of high-speed non-cryptographic hash functions for data extraction is considered. Modification of the minimum number of container elements compared to the length of the hidden message is a distinctive feature of the algorithm. This feature allows the hidden throughput to be increased and the visual and statistical visibility of hidden data to be reduced. The algorithm is compared with modern algorithms of adaptive spatial steganography in terms of assessing the level of distorting changes in stego-containers. In addition, a modified version of the algorithm that implements covert channel multiplexing using a common subset of container elements when embedding various messages into them is considered.
An approach to segmentation of a solid focal lesion in breast and its peripheral areas in ultrasound images
Authors:   Mari State University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, Pasynkov D.V. ,   Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation,   Kazan State Medical Academy - Branch Campus of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Further Professional Education «Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Pro-fessional Education», Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Kolchev А.А. ,   Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, Egoshin I.A. ,   Mari State University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation,   Kazan (Volga region) Federal University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, Klioushkin I.V. ,   Kazan Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, Pasynkova О.О. ,   Mari State University, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation
Published: April 2023

The paper proposes an approach to the segmentation of solid breast lesions and their peripheral areas in ultrasound images. It is noted that identifying the outermost breast lesion structures is an important step for the further lesion classification, directly affecting the final classification of its type. The main feature of the proposed approach is that its implementation takes into account peculiarities of pixel brightness variations in the original image, without using speckle noise filters. The method was tested on a set of ultrasound images of morphologically verified 42 benign and 49 malignant breast lesions marked by a radiologist. The segmentation results were compared with the results of manual marking performed by the radiologist. The average errors in the segmentation of benign and malignant lesion were 5 pixels – for the lesion area and 7 pixels – for the peripheral area, which is insignificant, taking into account the error of manual marking performed by radiologist (3.9 and 4.7 pixels, respectively). The average intersection-over-union (IoU) metrics were 0.82 and 0.80, respectively. The presented results indicate the possibility of using the developed technology in a combination with the system of lesion differentiation.
Can the Mortality Rate be Reduced in the Diabetes Induction Model in Rats? A Protocol Study
Authors: Rafieian-Kopaei Mahmoud , Amini-Khoei Hossein , Rahimi-Madiseh Mohammad
Published: April 2023

The use of animal models of diseases is essential for the study of the effects of various drugs and the discovery of new drugs. One of the most common problems in researches on diabetes in animal models is the high rate of mortality after diabetes induction. This leads to disrupt the grouping of diabetic animals for interventional evaluations. We introduce a protocol to reduce the rate of mortality in diabetic rats. To do this, we used alloxan at dose of 185 mg/kg to induce diabetes in rats. In this study in addition to provide 5% glucose solution in drinking water from 2 to 12 hrs post alloxan injection, 2 ml of 50% dextrose solution orally gavaged with 2 hrs intervals up to 12 hrs post diabetes induction, and also from 12 to 24 hrs following alloxan injection 2 ml of 5% glucose solution was given by gavage every 2 hrs. Furthermore, from 6 to 48 hrs post alloxan injection the rats were orally received 1 ml of Ringer's serum with 2 hrs intervals via gavage route. Moreover, one unit of Novolin 70/30 (70% NPH and 30% insulin regular) was subcutaneously injected in the back of the neck area for 5 consistence days from the second day post alloxan injection. In the sixth day following alloxan injection the level of glucose was at level of 280 mg/dL which considered as diabetic level. Our findings showed that by abovementioned interventions the rate of mortality significantly reduced (2 percent) and diabetes well established.
Skeletal Injuries and Their Pattern Following Mountaineering and Climbing Accidents in Iranian Athletes
Authors: Abbasi Faeze , Dadgostar Haleh , Vaziri Mahrokhsadat , Lotfian Sara
Published: April 2023

The number of mountaineers and climbers has increased over the last few years. Considering the geographical features of Iran, this increase in the number of climbers is more significant in this country. Because of the importance of mountaineering injuries, a comprehensive survey of these injuries is needed. In this base, we designed a survey to investigate skeletal injuries in mountaineering accidents. This cross-sectional study was conducted on athletes from the Mountaineering Federation of Islamic Republic of the Iran (MFIRI) in 2015 and 2016. A total of 110 athletes were included using a simple random sampling method, and they were examined for any complications after skeletal injuries. Their medical records were reviewed. A total of 110 mountaineers completed the checklists, and 15 mountaineers reported a rock-climbing trauma and injury during 2015 and 2016. The most traumatic location was the lower extremities (46.7%). Additionally, most of trauma occurrences were in descent (80%) and times of day between noon and midnight (64.3%). The mean age of the mountaineers who had a trauma incidence was 37.95±8.76 years. Smoking was significantly different between the two groups. Skeletal injuries during mountaineering and rock climbing mostly affect the lower extremities, followed by the upper extremities and spine. There was no significant difference in age, sex or climbing equipment between the group who had an accident and the group who did not. In this study, there was a relationship between smoking cigarettes and an increased incidence of climbing accidents. Longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate this relationship.
Upper Aerodigestive Tract Procedures in COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Firouzifar Mohammadreza , Mousavi-Asl Benyamin , Alvandi Sepideh , Heidari Firouzeh , Khamushian Parnian , Ansari Reza , Sohrabpour Saeed , Karimi Ebrahim , Heidari Farrokh
Published: April 2023

Since the late 2019 months’ pandemic of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), it has spread globally and claimed abundant lives due to its expeditious interpersonal transmission and high mortality rate. Early studies showed that the upper aerodigestive tract procedures had the highest rates of nosocomial spread due to high viral load in upper respiratory and pharyngeal secretions. Between March 10 and April 10, 2020, a total of 28 rigid endoscopies were performed under general anesthesia for the removal of esophageal foreign bodies at our center. All the patients were screened on admission for symptoms of COVID-19 and a chest CT scan was performed and they were later followed up for further investigations. No patient had symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and dyspnea) on admission, and only one patient (3.57 %) had a suspicious CT scan for COVID-19. The mean age of 27 asymptomatic cases, including 14 men and 13 women, was 45.2 years old. Their average hospital stay was 0.8 days. all patients were later interviewed, inspected, and closely observed for any upcoming symptoms which would raise suspicion for COVID-19 during isolation. Of the 27 patients who cooperated, none showed COVID-19 symptoms. What makes this experiment prominent is that with suitable plans in a careful and precautionary manner, we can provide first-rate care for patients and meanwhile protect physicians during this pandemic promptly.
The Extent of Lung Involvement Based on CT-Scores, Compared to Clinical Symptoms and Laboratory Findings in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Kamali Alireza , Chehrei Ali , Hasanian Mohammad , Sofian Masoomeh , Bahrami Masoud , Khansarinejad Behzad , Zarinfar Nader , Moradzadeh Rahmatollah , Sarmadian Hosein , Safi Fatemeh
Published: April 2023

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a public health concern with over 6.5 million cases and 390,000 deaths around the world. This research aimed to find an association between computed tomography (CT) scores and clinical and laboratory findings to estimate the extent of lung infection in patients with COVID-19. The study sample enrolled 129 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January to February 2020. The chest CT images and clinical data were reviewed, images were segmented and scored by the degree of involvement from 0 to 4, and the relationship between them and clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed statistically. This study included 74 men and 59 women with a mean age of 55.08 years. Different abnormalities were observed; the mean CT score was 8.52 (7.83 to 9.21) and the most frequent lesions were GGO and consolidation. Our results revealed significant differences between groups categorized by dyspnea, sore throat, and low oxygen saturation concerning CT scores. There was also a significant correlation between CT scores and WBC counts and CRP levels (P<0.05). The evidence from this study implies that clinical and laboratory data, such as CRP, dyspnea, lymphopenia, and symptom onset closely correspond to chest CT scores and may be employed as initial tools to estimate the extent of lung involvement in COVID-19 patients.
Von Hippel-Lindau Disease Presenting With Cranial and Spinal Hemangioblastomas: MRI Findings
Authors: Halefoglu Ahmet Mesrur
Published: April 2023

Hemangioblastoma (HB) is one of the most common primary neoplasms of the posterior fossa in adults. Although single tumors can be sporadic, multiple tumors are almost always associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. In our case report, we are describing a 39-year-old woman with complaints of severe headache, pain, and numbness in both arms. She had a history of VHL disease. We performed contrast-enhanced cranial and cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Given the patient’s history of VHL disease and characteristic MR imaging features of lesions, cranial and cervical HBs were considered for diagnosis. Surgical excision is the main treatment of these tumors and follow-up optimal imaging of these patients is crucial. In the screening of VHL patients, whole spinal axis imaging in conjunction with routine MRI studies must always be performed to rule out spinal HBs.
May Social Isolation During COVID-19 Cause Cognitive Dysfunction in Healthy Older Adults?
Authors: Abutorabi-Zarchi Marzieh , Namiranian Nasim
Published: April 2023

The Article Abstract is not available.
Face masks for respiratory viral illness prevention in healthcare settings: a concise systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sami Hiba , Firoze Safiya , Khan Parvez A , Fatima Nazish , Khan Haris M
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: There are conflicting views regarding face mask guidelines amongst healthcare staff to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other respiratory viral infections (RVIs). We conducted a thorough meta-analysis to statistically compare mask use versus no mask use efficacy for RVIs in healthcare settings.
Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for selecting researches published between 2003 and June 2022 from different databases, including Publisher Med- line (PubMed), Web of Science, etc.; 6 studies qualified for inclusion. Data was pooled from in vivo randomized control, case-control and observational studies dealing with the relationship between face mask use and no use by patients or health personnel and RVI prevention in healthcare setups.
Results: The fixed and random-effects model was carried out to determine pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their respective 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs). The results revealed that wearing a face mask significantly reduced the risk of contracting a respiratory viral illness in hospital settings, with pooled OR (95% CI) of 0.11 (0.04 to 0.33) (probability value (P) <0.08).
Conclusion: Masks largely succeeded in stopping respiratory virus transmission, as evidenced by the meta-analysis of 6 studies (a total of 927 individuals).
Determination of pilus-islands profile and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from urine of pregnant women
Authors: Panahi Susan , Khalili Mohammad Bagher , Sadeh Maryam , Vakili Mahmood
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most important causes of neonatal diseases and postpartum fever. GBS infection can be transmitted from the infected mother to her baby during delivery. This bacterium is also involved in causing urinary tract infections and asymptomatic bacteriuria, pyelonephritis, cystitis and urethritis. In addition to capsule, Pilus is known as a virulence factor of GBS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of pilus islands and antibiotic resistance in GBS isolated from urine of pregnant women in Yazd, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 33 GBS samples isolated from the urine of pregnant women were studied by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the presence of pilus islands PI-1, PI-2a and PI-2b. Antibiotic resistance phenotype of tetracycline, penicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, levofloxacin and clindamycin was determined by disk diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 16.
Results: PI-1+PI-2a was the most frequent pilus island in the GBS isolates 28 (84.8%) and the frequency of PI-2b was 5 (15.2%). The frequency of PI-1+PI-2a was 50% in serotype III and 25%, 14.3%, 7.1% and 3.6% in serotypes Ia, II, Ib and V respectively (P=0.492). The sensitivity of all GBS isolates to penicillin was 93.9% and highest resistance to tetracycline (97%), clindamycin (24.2%) and erythromycin (21.2%).
Conclusion: Most of the GBS urine isolates examined carried the PI-1+PI-2a gene, which increases bacterial potency in colonization and resistance to the immune system. Penicillin was best choice for prevention.
Microbial profile and antibiotic resistance pattern of water supply in a tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand
Authors: Gaur Lipika , Chandola Iva , Negi Nidhi , Rawat Pankaj
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives: In healthcare settings, hospital water and water-related devices can act as a reservoir for waterborne infections. Potable water, sinks, faucet aerators, showers, tub immersion, toilets, dialysis water, water baths, eyewash stations, and dental-unit water stations have all been linked to nosocomial outbreaks. This study aimed to determine the microbial profile and pattern of antibiotic resistance in the water supply of a tertiary care hospital in Uttarakhand.
Materials and Methods: This is a 1-year prospective study which was carried out by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Sri Mahant Indersh Hospital (SMIH), Dehradun. A total of 154 water samples were collected from the AC outlets, ventilators in the Intensive care unit (ICUs), Operation theatre (OTs), and High dependency unit (HDUs), scrub sta- tions, pantry, and blood bank, patient’s bathroom, private ward, septic ward, labour room, transplant unit, laboratory, scope rinse water, the dialysis unit and tank throughout the hospital, including tap water (pre and post flush [25%]), tap swabs (24%), drinking water (9%), AC outlets (13%), and other areas (3%).
Results: 30 of the 154 (19.5%) water samples tested were culture-positive. The most contaminated water samples were tap swabs (27%, n = 8/30). A total of nine organisms were isolated, of which the most predominant was Pseudomonas aeru- ginosa (40%; 12/30), followed by Legionella pneumophila (13%; 4/30), Acinetobacter baumanii (10%; 3/30), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%; 3/30), Escherichia coli (7%; 2/30), Enterococcus faecalis (7%; 2/30), Aspergillus flavus (7%; 2/30), Stenotrophomonas (3%; 1/30), and Fusarium spp. (3%; 1/30). Gram-negative bacilli and non-lactose fermenting (GNB and NLF) showed a high rate of contamination, 53.3% (n = 16/30). P. aeruginosa showed resistance to gentamicin and amikacin (42%), imipenem (50%), levofloxacin (58%), and colistin (25%), while Acinetobacter baumanii showed resistance to genta- micin and amikacin (67%), minocycline (63%), and levofloxacin, imipenem and colistin (33%).
Conclusion: The study's findings show that a variety of microorganisms are contaminating hospital water supplies and can be a source of hospital-acquired infections. A suitable and robust surveillance program for hospital water supplies, as well as strict adherence to infection control practices, is strongly advised.