bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Obesity on Electrocardiographic Parameters in Children : A Comparative Study
Authors: Sunitha M, Sonica, Suresh Y Bondade S, S.V Brid
Published: January 2024

Background

Obesity is becoming a global epidemic in both adults and children and is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide due to cardiovascular disease. Obesity is closely associated with wide variety of Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities including ischemic ECG observations.

Objectives

Present study was designed to assess the ECG changes in obese asymptomatic male childrens and to compare with that of normal male children group.

Materials and Method

Study was done in 50 apparently healthy obese male children between the age group of 5–18 years and 100 normal male children of the same age group.. A 12 lead ECG was recorded using computerized ECG machine and analysed for Heart rate, PR interval, QTc interval, QRS axis. Results were compared by Student's unpaired t test and analysed.

Results

Results in this study showed ECG variations which include significant increase in heart rate, prolongation of QTc interval and leftward shift of QRS axis in obese children group compared to non obese children. There was significant increase in PR interval in obese children compared to non obese group. However all the changes in ECG observed were within normal limits.

Conclusion

Variety of ECG changes occur even in asymptomatic obese children and obesity increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases, these ECG changes with respect to the baseline values should be known as early as possible so that early interventional measures could be taken to decrease the future risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Dyselectrolytaemia in Middle Aged Type II Diabetes Mellitus – A Harbinger of Cardiac Function Abnormalities
Authors: Siraj Ahmed Shirbadgi, Aftab Begum
Published: January 2024

Background

Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder. The management of blood glucose and other modifiable risk factor is a key element in the multifactorial approach to prevent complications of diabetes and decreasing the mortality and morbidity.

Aim and Objective of the Study

To determine the serum electrolyte (sodium & potassium) in asymptomatic type II diabetic cases and with controls.

Materials and Method

Fifty type II DM cases aged between 30–55 years and fifty age and sex matched controls were selected from general population. Detailed physical and systemic examination was done. Ethical clearance and informed consent was taken. Estimation of Serum electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium) is done by Ion selective electrode method. Unpaired t-test was used to compare the parameters between type II DM cases & controls by using SPSS version 16. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

There was statistically significant increase in Serum potassium level among type II diabetics when compared to controls (p< 0.001)

Conclusion

There was significant increase in Serum potassium level among type II diabetics when compared to controls. Hence the screening tests such as estimation of serum electrolytes are strongly recommended at the time of diagnosis for proper interventions which could prevent the complications at an earlier date.
A Study of Magnesium Supplementation on Amplitudes of Sensory and Motor Nerves in Patients of Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Ashutosh Bhardwaj, Divya Hyanki, Richa Srivastav
Published: January 2024

To Study the effect of magnesium supplementation on amplitudes of sensory and motor nerves in patients of diabetic neuropathy.

This study was conducted on 60 diabetic neuropathy patients attending the neurology o.p.d between february 2009 to august 2010. These patients were segregated into two groups. group I (n=30) receiving magnesium and metformin therapy for a period of 16 weeks. Group II (n=30) receiving only metformin therapy.

The blood samples were collected and analyzed for s. magnesium and fasting blood glucose at 0, 4, 8, 16 weeks, respectively. Measurement of amplitudes of sural and common peroneal nerves were done at 0, 4, 8, 16 weeks, respectively.

Average age of males in group I was 54.36±1.18yrs and of females was 53.09±1.47yrs and in group II was 55.94±1.62yrs and of females was 52.83±1.58yrs.

Mean baseline value for amplitude of sural nerve in group I was 4.90±0.34uV and after treatment values at 4, 8 and 16 weeks were 6.19±0.29, 7.56±0.34 and 9.64±0.59uV respectively. In Group II mean baseline value for amplitude of sural nerve was 5.13±0.50uV and after treatment values at 4, 8 and 16 weeks were 4.97+0.48, 4.85±0.51, 4.86+0.49uV respectively. Mean baseline value amplitude of common peroneal nerve in group I was 2.49±0.21mV and after treatment values at 4, 8 and 16 weeks were 3.31±0.23, 3.91+0.19 and 4.24±0.19mV respectively. In group II, mean baseline value for amplitude of common peroneal nerve was 2.58±0.25mV and after treatment values at 4, 8 and 16 weeks were 2.61±0.24, 2.64±0.24 and 2.77±0.24mV respectively.

Statistically significant difference was observed in group I, patients’ amplitudes of sural and common peroneal nerves, before and after treatment values at 16 weeks (p<0.05). Statistically insignificant difference was observed in group II patients before and after treatment values at 16 weeks (p>0.05). This study thus concludes that anti-diabetic therapy when combined with magnesium supplementation shows improvement in amplitudes of sensory and motor nerves.
Diabetes Mellitus and Cognition-A Non Invasive Study
Authors: Harini S, Bhagya V
Published: January 2024

Background

Diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide due to improved lifestyle modifications. Particularly more common in developing countries. Peripheral, central and autonomic neuropathy are the most common complications of diabetes mellitus, which if not detected early can lead to early disability. Event related potential P300 is a non invasive test to detect one of the higher functions of brain namely cognition. The present study was conducted to evaluate impact of diabetes mellitus and its duration on cognition.

Aims & Objectives

To investigate neurophysiological alterations of higher brain functions in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Materials & Method

Auditory P300 event related potentials were recorded in 60 diabetic patients (NIDDM & IDDM) attending medical out patient department of Bapuji & Chigateri hospital, Davangere, who had no evidence of stroke, dementia, or any other neurological illness. The P300 wave latencies in diabetic patients were compared with those in neurologically healthy control subjects, with consideration of duration of diabetes and analyzed by using unpaired student T test for comparison between cases and controls and one way ANOVA for multiple group comparisons within diabetics based on duration of diabetes.

Results

Diabetics had significantly longer P300 latencies and reduced P300 amplitudes than control subjects. There was a positive correlation between prolongation of latencies and duration of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that diabetes does relate significantly to cognitive decline. ERP P300 can be a useful neurophysiological test to detect cognitive decline early in diabetics and also beneficial to the clinician for further management of the patient.
Heart Rate Variability Changes during Sahaja Yoga Meditation
Authors: Madhur S Rai, Yashoda R Kattimani, Sandeep U Rai, RS Inamdar
Published: January 2024

Background & Objectives

Yoga and meditation is now widely accepted world wide as an effective tool to combat stress. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a noninvasive tool to measure sympathetic and parasympathetic function of the autonomic nervous system. Yoga, by modulating stress, has shown to decrease the activity of sympathetic component of autonomic nervous system and enhance parasympathetic component. Only few studies have compared HRV at baseline with HRV during or after single session of yoga. Thus, this study was undertaken with the objectives to compare HRV changes of Sahaja Yoga Meditators in resting state with their Meditation state and to compare these changes with HRV changes in the control group in resting and meditation mimicking state.

Method

A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The study group comprised of 30 randomly selected long term Sahaja yoga mediators and a control group of 30 subjects with no prior practice of any kind of meditation. HRV was recorded in both the groups in normal resting state, during meditation (yoga group) and with eyes closed (mimicking meditation in control group).

Results

Study showed decrease in LF (sympathetic activity) increase in HF (parasympathetic activity) and decrease in LF/HF ratio thus implying a more relaxed, parasympathetic dominant state, in the yoga group during meditation.

Conclusion

The study shows Sahaja Yoga meditation leads to a parasympathetic dominant (relaxed) state and thus can be used as an effective mind body technique to combat stress.
Is Paid Period Leave Justified in Working Women: A Crossectional Study
Authors: Verma Amita
Published: January 2024

Premenstrual syndrome is a set of physical, behavioural or emotional symptoms that some women experience on regular basis in relation to menstruation. Premenstrual symptoms have been associated with perceived stress, and perceived stress is the strongest predictor of premenstrual syndrome. The present study attempted to find a relationship between various cardiovascular and neurological parameters and stress in working and non working women. The study observed significant changes between the pulse and blood pressure and reaction time in the study population, while observing higher perceived stress in the working women.
Study of Pattern of Dyslipidaemia among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Seeking Care in GMERS Medical College Patan, Gujarat, India
Authors: Dharmesh K. Patel, Nehal S. Patel
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with type-2 diabetes have increased risk of myocardial infarction associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia. The diabetic dyslipidemia is characterised by elevations of low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and decreased high density lipoproteins (HDL). Lipid particles in diabetic dyslipidemia patients are more atherogenic than in non-diabetic people. Therefore, lipid abnormalities in diabetes should be aggressively treated the at the earlier.

Objective

(a) To study the pattern of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, and (b) To compare lipid profile among patients with poor glycaemic control and good glycaemic control patients. (c) To access cardiovascular risk status according to criteria of Adult treatment panel III of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).

Material & Method

The present study was carried out at GMERS medical college, Patan Gujarat during period from July 2018 to December 2018. All patient was advised for 12–14 hours overnight fasting and blood samples were collected on next morning before breakfast for lipid profile, FBS, PPBS, HbA1C. Cardiovascular risk status was evaluated according to the criteria of Adult treatment panel III of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).

Results

Out of 150 patients, 46 (30.6%) patients had good glycaemic control and 104 (69.4%) had poor glycaemic control. The patients with poor glycaemic control are at borderline to high cardiovascular risk status as determined by TG and LDL-C levels and serum cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

From the present study we can conclude that diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control are at higher cardiovascular risk according to serum cholesterol, LDL-C levels and TG levels. In addition to glycemic control, HbA1c can be utilized as a potential biomarker to predict dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients
Improvement in Cardiovascular Status by Addition of Minimal amount of Raw Vegetables, Fruits and Sprouts in the Daily Diet
Authors: Shobha Kini, Rohini Bhadre
Published: January 2024

Background and Objective

The aim of our study is to determine whether a small and sustainable increase in fruits, sprouts and raw vegetables in the daily diet can help to lower weight, blood pressure and improve physical endurance.

Method

Thirty members participated in this nutritional interventional study. BMI, blood pressure and distance covered in six minute walk test was measured and compared before and after the intervention of diet. The change in diet was acceptable and sustainable for twelve weeks.

Results

After a minimal change in diet the BMI and blood pressure decreased significantly. The distance covered in 6MWT also increased significantly.

Interpretation and Conclusion

An acceptable and sustainable increase of fruits, sprouts and raw vegetables in our daily diet reduces weight, blood pressure and improves physical endurance. Hence the risk of cardiovascular diseases reduces.
A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Tests Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Non-Diabetes
Authors: Shweta, A. Santa Kumari
Published: January 2024

Background

Diabetes Mellitus still remains one of the foremost causes of Morbidity and Mortality in both the developing and developed nations. Diabetes Mellitus includes a heterogenous group of hyperglycemic disorders. The presence of extensive microvascular circulation and abundant connective tissue in lungs, raises the possibility that lung tissue could be a target organ in Type2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

To study the effects of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on lung function tests.

Materials and Method

80 male subjects, 40 Type 2 Diabetes-study group, 40 Healthy-controls selected from Vaishnavi Hospital, Hyderabad. Medspiror instrument was used to record lung functions. Following parameters were recorded: Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st sec (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Forced Expiratory Flow in middle half of FVC (FEF 25–75%) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEF). Statistical analysis was done using unpaired t-test in windows stat 9.2 software.

Results

Study group showed statistically greater percentage reduction in FVC, FEV1, FEF 25–75% and PEF compared to control group.

Conclusion

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus may be a causative factor for derangement in lung functions due to altered connective tissue, thickening of basal lamina of alveolar membrane and capillary endothelium. All these factors are leading to Restrictive Lung disorder, which exacerbate with increasing blood sugar levels and duration of Type2 Diabetes Mellitus. Therefore lung is considered as a TARGET ORGAN in Type2Diabetes Mellitus.
(Micro)saccade-related potentials during face recognition: A study combining EEG, eye-tracking, and deconvolution modeling
Authors: Spiering Lisa , Dimigen Olaf
Published: January 2024

Under natural viewing conditions, complex stimuli such as human faces are typically looked at several times in succession, implying that their recognition may unfold across multiple eye fixations. Although electrophysiological (EEG) experiments on face recognition typically prohibit eye movements, participants still execute frequent (micro)saccades on the face, each of which generates its own visuocortical response. This finding raises the question of whether the fixation-related potentials (FRPs) evoked by these tiny gaze shifts also contain psychologically valuable information about face processing. Here, we investigated this question by corecording EEG and eye movements in an experiment with emotional faces (happy, angry, neutral). Deconvolution modeling was used to separate the stimulus ERPs to face onset from the FRPs generated by subsequent microsaccades-induced refixations on the face. As expected, stimulus ERPs exhibited typical emotion effects, with a larger early posterior negativity (EPN) for happy/angry compared with neutral faces. Eye tracking confirmed that participants made small saccades in 98% of the trials, which were often aimed at the left eye of the stimulus face. However, while each saccade produced a strong response over visual areas, this response was unaffected by the face’s emotional expression, both for the first and for subsequent (micro)saccades. This finding suggests that the face’s affective content is rapidly evaluated after stimulus onset, leading to only a short-lived sensory enhancement by arousing stimuli that does not repeat itself during immediate refixations. Methodologically, our work demonstrates how eye tracking and deconvolution modeling can be used to extract several brain responses from each EEG trial, providing insights into neural processing at different latencies after stimulus onset.
Kardiyoloji, Keder ve Yas
Authors: Conkbayır Cenk
Published: January 2024

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES TO VALUE ADDED IN ALGERIA: AN ECONOMETRIC STUDY
Authors: BELGOUM FARID , KHELIFA HADJ , KEBIR HADIA , BAHBAH AHMED
Published: January 2024

In Algeria’s economic development, SMEs are crucial, they contribute to absorbing unemployment and generating jobs and help to increase added value and GDP. This study uses the cointegration approach by the Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) methodology to examine the extent to which public and private SMEs in Algeria contribute to developing added value. The study spans the years 2000 through 2022. According to the study, added value and public and private SMEs in Algeria have a sizable long-term link. Thus, the expansion of added value is positively correlated with the expansion of SMEs. The findings of this research reveal that to accelerate economic development, the Algerian government should concentrate on fostering the expansion of private SMEs. Giving SMEs access to funding, education, and other resources will accomplish this.
French foreign policy initiatives during the presidency of Emmanuel Macron
Authors: Tolstov Serhii
Published: January 2024

Abstract. The French foreign policy concept under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron revolves around a proactive policy aimed at strengthening the European strategic autonomy in international relations and the defence sphere.
The security and defence cooperation of EU member states is developing along two main axes: joint institutions and projects to collectively develop the defence potential of the EU member states and ‘horizontal’ projects where individual states participate based on shared goals and interests.
In recent years, Western European countries have put forward at least 5 specific initiatives to deepen political and security ties among the EU countries and their partners on the European continent. Two French projects are particularly prominent: the European Intervention Initiative (2018) and the European Political Community (2022).
The European Intervention Initiative represents a vision for joint deployment and anti-crisis military operations involving a voluntary group of partners. For its part, the European Political Community project embodies the concept of a pan-European dialogue excluding russia and Belarus, thus making it a prospective delineated continental framework.
It also offers a practical alternative to the OSCE and has the potential to duplicate certain functions of the Council of Europe.
The current French foreign policy concept has a predominantly realistic basis, combining pragmatic solutions with the adaptation of the integrated complex of the European Union to the conditions of a multipolar international order. Considering the factor of the russian threat, French President Emmanuel Macron strongly emphasises the necessity of preventing a direct military conflict between the EU and NATO countries with russia. Concurrently, Emmanuel Macron expresses his determination to continue helping Ukraine in repelling russia’s aggression and urges the EU and NATO countries to reconsider the form of their support to Ukraine.
Keywords: Macron, defence potential, France, military conflict, European initiatives, russian-Ukrainian war.
Soft power in the conditions of war: the public diplomacy of Ukraine in the Republic of Lebanon
Authors: Bila Andriana
Published: January 2024

Abstract. Ukraine’s public diplomacy during the war, especially in the past year, has become an unprecedentedly effective tool for conveying what American researcher Joseph Nye defined as a state’s ‘soft power’. Through various tools and focus areas of public diplomacy, Ukraine has successfully raised foreign audiences’ awareness of its attractive aspects: its rich culture, cultural heritage, and traditions with deep historical roots and world-spanning connections to different peoples and countries. These public diplomacy efforts made it possible to demonstrate such bright and strong characteristics of Ukrainian society as heroism, courage, and resilience. For the first time in many years, Ukraine’s political values and ideals became clear and visible to foreign audiences and the leadership of foreign countries. Ukraine began to be identified and acknowledged as a country of freedom and democratic values.
The article analyses several successful public diplomacy projects implemented by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Lebanon under Ihor Ostash, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Lebanon (2016–22), during russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The author details the content of specific unique cultural diplomacy projects that served as a critical element of public diplomacy, highlighting their impact on the Arab and, particularly, the Lebanese audience. Thus, the author emphasizes the methodical nature and valuable outcomes of the Embassy’s work amidst the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine. The conclusions identify several key aspects that must be considered for the sake of high-quality implementation of public diplomacy.
Keywords: public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, soft power, Republic of Lebanon, Middle East, Arab world, Embassy of Ukraine in Lebanon, Ukrainian-Lebanese relations.
Epigenetic impact on children’s future
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, University Transilvania, Brasov, Romania, Buzinschi Sorin
Published: January 2024

The adult diet and lifestyle are conventionally considered at the origin of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases that occur during life time. The hypothesis that supports the link between intrauterine malnutrition, prematurity, maternal stress, and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease in adults/elderly, called Developmental Origins of Adult Disease, has been supported by numerous clinical studies. The concept of fetal phenotype programming gained consistency through epigenetic studies that showed how DNA methylation changes, histone changes, maintained over time are at the origin of chronic adult diseases. Initially demonstrated through studies on experimental animals and later through research on human subjects exposed to extreme situations, epigenetic changes were identified in severe maternal malnutrition, folic acid deficiency, smoking and maternal obesity or contact with environmental toxins. It is possible for some of the epigenetic changes to be transmitted transgenerationally, their argumentation subject to objective limitations.
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome: deciphering the genetic and clinical complexity - A case report with literature review
Authors:   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristine, Kosova, Gashi Astrit M. , Elshani Brikene ,   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Centre of Kosova, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristine, Kosova
Published: January 2024

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a rare and heterogeneous genetic condition characterized by overgrowth, organomegaly, and increased vulnerability to embryonal tumors. This review investigates the complex genetic and epigenetic pathways underlying Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, focusing on the 11p15.5 region on chromosome 11. Abnormalities in the 11p15.5 area, such as imprinting control region dysregulation and CDKN1C gene mutations, contribute to disrupted growth regulation. This content also provides an overview of the incidence and pathophysiology of this syndrome. Clinical manifestations include macrosomia, macroglossia, and abdominal wall abnormalities. The increased risk of embryonal malignancies, such as Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma, emphasises the importance of diligent medical observation. Early diagnosis through genetic testing is crucial for tailored management and genetic counseling. This detailed discussion of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome sheds light on the molecular complexities of the condition, emphasizing the significance of genetic testing, early detection, and multidisciplinary management for affected infants.
Concurrence of Hirschsprung disease and annular pancreas: a rare case report
Authors:   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia, Taihuttu Fahad Ahmed Shah Khaisama ,   “Dr. Soetomo” General Academic Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, Setiawan Ariandi ,   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia,   “Dr. Soetomo” General Academic Teaching Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
Published: January 2024

Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) and annular pancreas are both uncommon congenital gastrointestinal malformations. Although additional abnormalities are associated with 18% of HD cases, there is limited evidence of concomitant HD and annular pancreas. We present a full-term, two-day-old male with abdominal distended, and failure to pass first stool after 3 days of observation and rectal washout the abdominal X-rays showed a double bubble appearance. Intraoperative finding, the patient had pancreas annulare (PA). Colonic aganglionosis was discovered using full-thickness rectal biopsies (FTRB). At the age of seven months, a transanal endorectal pull-through was performed without complications. Although the diagnosis of these conditions might be difficult due to their clinical similarities, appropriate diagnosis, and surgical management are possible and can dramatically minimize morbidity and death in the newborn.
Clinical significance of the lipid profile, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in different rheumatic disease patients
Authors:   Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, El-Husseiny Passant N. , Al-Adle Suzan S. ,   Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, Eesa Nahla N. ,   Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, Gheita Tamer A. ,   Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Published: January 2024

Objectives. To assess the lipid profile, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio(PLR) in different rheumatic diseases and to study their relation to disease activity and/or severity. Patients and methods. 257 patients (47 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 100 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 49 systemic sclerosis (SSc), 33 axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and 28 vasculitis (21with primary vasculitis and 7 with Behçet’s disease ‘BD’) and 70 controls were recruited. The disease activity and/or severity were assessed for each disease. The lipid profile was measured including: total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL),triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the LDL:HDL was calculated. The NLR and PLR were recorded. Results. In RA, NLR, PLR and HDL were significantly higher (p<0.0001, p=0.001, p=0.01). The disease activity score (DAS28) was significantly associated with dyslipidemia (p=0.02) and correlated inversely with NLR (r=-0.3, p=0.02). NLR and PLR correlated significantly with TG (p=0.02, p=0.03) respectively. In SLE, NLR, PLR and TG were significantly higher (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.001). The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was significantly related to dyslipidemia (p=0.01) and NLR (p=0.005).PLR correlated inversely with the damage index (r=-0.2, p=0.01). SLEDAI correlated significantly with TG, (r=0.4, p<0.0001) and LDL: HDL (r=0.4, p<0.0001) and inversely with HDL(r=-0.4, p<0.0001). In SSc, NLR and PLR were significantly higher (p<0.0001, p=0.03). HDL correlated inversely with modified Rodnan skin score (mRss) (r=-0.3, p=0.04). In axSpA, NLR, PLR and lipid profile were similar to controls. In vasculitis, HDL was significantly higher (p=0.02) and TG correlated inversely with vasculitis damage index (VDI) (r=-0.5, p=0.03). In BD, PLR correlated significantly with the Arabic BD current activity form (Ar-BDCAF) (r=0.9, p=0.003). NLR correlated significantly with TC (r=0.4,p=0.03) and PLR inversely with TG(r=-0.5, p=0.04). NLR, PLR and ESR were valuable predictors of disease activity in RA, SLE, SSc and vasculitis. On comparing the different rheumatic diseases, NLR and TG were significantly higher in SLE (p<0.0001, p=0.002) and PLR in vasculitis (p=0.004). Conclusion. Dyslipidemia is frequently associated with the rheumatic diseases. NLR and PLR are feasible markers with a promising role in evaluation of their disease activities.
An Ideological Land Reform Policy Shift of State Custodianship and ‘Transforming the Rural Land Economy’
Authors: September-Van Huffel Anthea
Published: January 2024

In customary landholding practices land is regarded as more than an asset of economic value to be owned. African people’s rights in land and other natural resources exceed the idea of mere possession. To African rural land holders, land is not only a material resource for agricultural production, nor is the commercialisation and commoditisation of land the primary driving force for most customary landholding communities’ even though the land is productively used. This broader conceptualisation of the social function of land beyond the economic, aligns with modern property law on the proprietary function of property. However, excessive state limitations imposed on customary land tenure can hinder economically valuable property rights, but also other rights to social, cultural, and ontological resources embodied in the spirituality of African communities.
Security of tenure for land reform beneficiaries cannot be secondary to commercialisation and commoditisation of the rural land economy in the national interest. Commercialisation and commoditisation are the by-products of recognised, protected, and enforceable property rights and not the “pre-requisites” or “qualifiers” for secure land tenure. Thus, the state custodial approach reflected in land reform law and policy that places an overemphasis on private property capitalism, above the constitutional mandate of security of land tenure is critically discussed. It is argued that if not carefully formulated transformative land reform law and policy can be conduits for a state custodianship approach that inadvertently reproduces apartheid-like ideology and preoccupations.
Key words: Secure tenure, state custodianship, National Development Plan 2030, transformative land reform law and policy.
The legislative regulation of sexual misconduct by educators in South African public schools
Authors: De Villiers Cecile , Garbers CJ
Published: January 2024

This article explores the impact of education legislation on the failure to adequately address sexual misconduct by educators toward learners in South African public schools. The Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998 is the central piece of legislation regulating the employment of departmental educators. Secs. 17and 18 of the EEA are analysed with reference to 48 arbitration awards issued by the Education Labour Relations Council. Three shortcomings are identified. First, the EEA describes the types of misconduct with which educators may be charged, but makes a distinction between “serious misconduct” listed in sec.17 (which attracts mandatory dismissal) and “misconduct” in sec. 18 (where dismissal is discretionary). The only two types of sexual misconduct expressly listed in sec. 17 of the EEA are sexual assault and sexual relationships with learners. Relevant arbitration awards show that other types of sexual misconduct encountered in public schools are often as serious. Secondly, the failure to expressly mention more types of sexual misconduct in the EEA (for example, sexual harassment and sexual grooming) often results in charges against educators based on catch-all provisions in the EEA such as “improper conduct”. This sanitises the seriousness and high incidence of certain types of sexual misconduct. In turn, it has two detrimental effects on the effective management ofsexual misconduct. Educators who are guilty of the types of sexual misconduct omitted from the EEA are not always dismissed. It also prevents proper recording and recognition of the systemic nature of specific types of sexual misconduct. Thirdly, sec. 18(3) of the EEA provides for a range of sanctions (notably fines) between a final warning and dismissal, and for the imposition of a combination of sanctions short of dismissal. This results in educators not beingdismissed, despite being guilty of serious sexual misconduct. The article argues for the express inclusion and description – in sec. 17 of the EEA – of a broader range of types of sexual misconduct often encountered in schools and for a change in approach to how sanction for misconduct is regulated by sec. 18(3) of the EEA. This will assist role players in correctly identifying the types of sexual misconduct involved, will lead to more consistent and appropriate charges against offenders, will result in more appropriate (and serious) sanctions imposed, and will provide clarity about the incidence of different types of educator sexual misconduct as the basis for further policy responses.
The role and impact of constitutional values of ubuntu, equality, and human dignity in the interpretation and protection of the right to have access to social security in South Africa
Authors: Tshoose Clarence Itumeleng
Published: January 2024

This article examines the role and impact of constitutional values of ubuntu, equality, and human dignity in the interpretation and protection of the right to have access to social security entrenched in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Sec. 27(1)(c) of the Constitution provides a universal social security protection to everyone, including if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants’ appropriate social assistance. Against this background, this article has three objectives. First, it enters the debate on the universal approach that comes with a human right to social security. Secondly, it examines the impact of the constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and ubuntu on the right to have access to social security. Thirdly, it looks at how the South African courts have incorporated and interpreted these values in their drive to protect and enforce the constitutional right to have access to social security. The article concludes by examining South Africa’s compliance with its constitutional obligation in respect of ensuring that everyone has the right to have access to social security.
Modeling Linear Polarization of the Didymos–Dimorphos System before and after the DART Impact
Authors: Penttilä Antti , Muinonen Karri , Granvik Mikael , Gray Zuri , Bagnulo Stefano , Kolokolova Ludmilla , Moreno Fernando
Published: January 2024

We analyze the polarization observations of the Didymos–Dimorphos system before and after the impact by the NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft on Dimorphos. We fit empirical polarization phase curve models and statistically confirm the discovery by Gray et al. about the degree of linear polarization of the system decreasing on the impact and remaining altered for at least 30 days post-impact. With numerical simulations of particles in the geometric optics domain, we estimate the dominant size of the particles either in the regolith of Didymos and Dimorphos or in the impact-driven ejecta cloud to be several hundred micrometers. The observed change between the pre-impact and post-impact systems indicates either a decrease in average particle size of some tens of micrometers or a decreased level of space weathering.
Solving quaternion nonsymmetric algebraic Riccati equations through zeroing neural networks
Authors: Jerbi Houssem , Al-Darraji Izzat , Albadran Saleh , Aoun Sondess Ben , Simos Theodore E. , Mourtas Spyridon D. , Katsikis Vasilios N.
Published: January 2024

Many variations of the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) have been used to study nonlinear system stability in the control domain in great detail. Taking the quaternion nonsymmetric ARE (QNARE) as a generalized version of ARE, the time-varying QNARE (TQNARE) is introduced. This brings us to the main objective of this work: finding the TQNARE solution. The zeroing neural network (ZNN) technique, which has demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness in handling time-varying problems, is used to do this. Specifically, the TQNARE can be solved using the high order ZNN (HZNN) design, which is a member of the family of ZNN models that correlate to hyperpower iterative techniques. As a result, a novel HZNN model, called HZ-QNARE, is presented for solving the TQNARE. The model functions fairly well, as demonstrated by two simulation tests. Additionally, the results demonstrated that, while both approaches function remarkably well, the HZNN architecture works better than the ZNN architecture.
The economy of Tuscany in the post Covid-19 era: struggling with energy crisis and inflation. What to do to resume the journey?1
Authors: Ferrari Guido , Zhao Yanyun , Jiménez José Mondéjar , Secondi Luca
Published: January 2024

The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought significant challenges on both national and regional economic systems, resulting in an exacerbation of poverty and a deceleration of economic growth. These repercussions have led to increased social tensions and discontent.

Tuscany a key player in the Italian and European economies, warrants scrutiny concerning its economic structure post-pandemic, particularly in relation to the role played by industry districts and the ways for it to get out of the crisis and get back on track.

This paper undertakes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the Tuscan economy, with a focus on EMAS-APO industry districts. It examines the region's standing in terms of national and European ERCI competitiveness, placing it at an average level. Additionally, the region ranks in the third decile of the DESI digitalization, indicating a commendable technological dynamism. An equally satisfying spending power in R&D, in percentage of GDP higher than the national one, and ranking 6th in the regions' rank, is flanked by a particularly vigorous innovation capacity of the production sector.

Employing a symmetric branch-by-branch SAM 2019 analysis, derived from a sector-by-product 2014 SAM constructed by IRPET, serves as the foundational step in understanding the interventions and investments necessary for resuming growth.

While affirming Tuscany's competitiveness, digitalization and technological dynamism, the analysis underscores the pivotal role of manufacturing. Notably, the textile, fashion and leather sectors hold significant weight, along with the slightly less impactful paper and pharmaceutical sectors, and the noteworthy role of tourism. The region emerges as innovative, competitive and export-oriented, albeit with certain sectors grappling with environmental challenges.

The IMM based analysis reveals a satisfactory average integration degree of the production system, suggesting that, for an effective, robust and sustainable post-Covid recovery and economic resurgence, focused investments and demand stimulus policy should be directed towards the textile, fashion and leather industries. Additionally, there is a strong indication to channel investments into pharmaceuticals and health care, and on transportation (especially freight transportation), as well as wholesale and retail trade. While weaker, there is a notable suggestion to invest in metallurgy, computer hardware, tourism and paper industries.
Evaluating the network adequacy of vision care services for children in Arizona: A cross sectional study
Authors: Biviji Rizwana , Vora Nikita , Thomas Nalani , Sheridan Daniel , Reynolds Cindy M. , Kyaruzi Faith , Reddy Swapna
Published: January 2024

Background

Vision challenges are among the most prevalent disabling conditions in childhood, affecting up to 28% of school-age children. These issues can impact the development, learning, and literacy skills of affected children. While vision problems are correctable with timely diagnosis and treatment, insufficient networks can impede children's access to comprehensive, and high-quality care.

Objective

The study aims to determine where pediatric vision care network adequacy exists in the state of Arizona and where there are gaps in receiving vision care for children.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed the adequacy of pediatric vision care networks in Arizona through a “secret shopper” phone survey. Calls were made to practices that accept Arizona's Medicaid program, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and/or commercial insurance. Providers were contacted following a standardized script to schedule routine appointments on behalf of 10 and 3-year-old patients enrolled in either Medicaid or commercial health insurance plans. The study examined various components of children's access to vision care services, including the reliability of provider directory information, time until the next available appointment, bilingual service offerings, ages served, region of practice and types of care available.

Results

A total of 556 practices in Arizona were evaluated through simulations as patients on AHCCCS, and 510 practices were assessed through simulations as patients with commercial health insurance plans. The average wait time for the next available appointment was 13 days for both insurance types. Alarmingly, up to 74% of vision care practices in Arizona do not serve children covered by AHCCCS. Furthermore, only 41% provide services to children 5 years and younger.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the need to improve access to vision care services for children in Arizona, especially racial/ethnic minorities, low-income groups, and rural residents.
Ensenator, sistema informático para el estudio de catastros históricos con bases de datos relacionales
Authors: Maeso Buenasmañanas Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido el desarrollo de un sistema software basado principalmente en bases de datos relacionales, que permita el registro y análisis de catastros históricos.
En cuanto a requisitos funcionales, la base de datos debía ser lo suficientemente robusta como para soportar el almacenamiento simultáneo de catastros de diferentes poblaciones y épocas. La versión inicial del sistema debía aportar una funcionalidad completa y, al mismo tiempo, debía servir como núcleo sobre el que se pudieran desarrollar versiones más avanzadas en el futuro.
Por otro lado, los requisitos técnicos establecidos para el software también fueron exigentes. El sistema debía ser capaz de funcionar en un ordenador personal. Esto no debería impedir la escalabilidad del software, de modo que también pudiera ser instalado en servidores más potentes de una universidad o centro de investigación o, incluso, publicarse en Internet. El sistema se debería construir sobre tecnologías maduras, de amplio uso, como bases de datos relacionales y hojas de cálculo, para evitar problemas de pronta obsolescencia tecnológica. En la medida de lo posible se deberían seleccionar herramientas gratuitas para evitar costes de licencias.
Estos objetivos han sido alcanzados con el desarrollo de un sistema al que hemos denominado Ensenator y que ha sido validado con la carga del catastro de Ensenada de Arenas de San Juan (Ciudad Real) de 1752 y del catastro de Martín de Garay de El Escorial (Madrid) de 1818. En este artículo se describe el diseño y funcionamiento del sistema Ensenator.
El HGIS del catastro urbano de Roma (Catastro Pio-Gregoriano, 1818-1824)
Authors: Lelo Keti
Published: January 2024

Este trabajo ilustra la metodología adoptada para la construcción de un SIG histórico de la ciudad de Roma en el siglo XIX, a partir de fuentes catastrales. El trabajo integra investigación histórica basada en documentación de archivo y análisis geográfico y tiene como objetivo producir nueva información temática sobre la ciudad. En este contexto, la informatización de los mapas del catastro urbano de 1819-24 y de la información contenida en los registros catastrales ha llevado al desarrollo de un eficaz sistema de gestión de bases de datos basado en la localización geográfica de los datos, y a la implementación de una herramienta analítica que permite el estudio de la estructura física y de las condiciones socioeconómicas de la ciudad con un altísimo nivel de detalle.
Personalized POI Recommendation Using CAGRU and Implicit Semantic Feature Extraction in LBSN
Authors: Ye Haiqin , Chen Ying
Published: January 2024

With the intention of addressing the concern that existing point of interest recommendation methods fail to fully utilize the auxiliary information of the point of interest, from which it is challenging to extricate a substantial quantity of deeper feature information, a personalized point of interest (POI) recommendation model using Context-Aware Gated Recurrent Unit (CAGRU) and implicit semantic feature extraction was proposed. First, the check-in data is divided into five tags, and the continuous geographical location check-in data and time data are discretized. Then, the CAGRU was used to obtain the POI check-in features. Finally, the time sequence location information, user information and target location information are transformed through the nonlinear activation function to obtain the score of each location in the data set as the next POI location, and the Top-N recommendation is generated through the score. Experiments indicated that the results of the suggested method were better than the comparative methods.
Sinergy of Biodiesel and its Natural Antioxidant from Rice Bran Feedstock
Authors: Prihandini Ghusrina , Analyses Dhyna , Paramita Tifa , Sihombing Rony Pasonang
Published: January 2024

Biodiesel tends to oxidation during the time of storage due to chemical structure, makes deterioration of fuel quality. Hence, the presence in feed stock required to gain standard quality for biodiesel commercialization. Natural antioxidant, mainly oryzanol found in rice bran feed stock, have been worked in biodiesel oxidation synergistic without any additional of synthetic antioxidant. In this work, the potential natural antioxidant has been evaluated by the oxidation stability. The biodiesel exhibited oxidation stability gained the induction period at 3 h by Rancimat method. It was found that the concentration of oryzanol above 300 ppm keep the biodiesel from oxidation. Even though very small amount 3 ppm oryzanol was obtained but contribute as cost implication due to antioxidants are costly chemicals. Otherwise adding synthetic antioxidant making high cost on biodiesel storage and utilization.
SnO-SnO2 Nanocomposites Based pn Diode: In Situ Synthesis, Characterization and Fabrication of Device for pn Diode Applicability
Authors: Narzary Ringshar , Chekke Tani , Ngadong Soni , Satpati Biswarup , Bayan Sayan , Das Upamanyu
Published: January 2024

We report on an approach for the in-situ synthesis (chemical method based) of SnO-SnO2 nanocomposites followed by characterisation (including morphological, chemical, structural and optical) and investigation of the electrical properties of the nanocomposites with reference to the as-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles. Compared to spherical SnO2 particles, the SnO phase is found existing in the form of sheet like morphology. It has been found that through controlling of the Sn:OH precursor ratio is effective for the achievement of SnO phase. Compared to the pristine SnO2 nanoparticles, the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the nanocomposites show the p-n junction characteristics. The observation of rectification ratio 2.05 indicates the excellent rectifying property of the nanocomposites due to the presence of p-type SnO phase. Further, exploration of the I-V characteristics has revealed the dominance of space-charge limited current transport mechanism for the nanocomposites sample. The lattice defects are discovered to be the cause of the transport mechanism in the nanocomposites sample.