bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘The Vibrant, Passionate Human Soul He Was’: Robert Haven Schauffler’s The Unknown Brahms (1933) and the American Middlebrow
Authors: Weitzer Adam
Published: February 2023

Written to mark the centenary of Brahms’s birth in 1933, Robert Haven Schauffler’s The Unknown Brahms (1933) was received rapturously by many American critics as a work which had humanised Brahms to a public that had perceived the composer as mysterious, contradictory, and unrelatable. Today, however, Schauffler’s book is regarded as a readable but unreliable work of popular psychology based not on serious research, but hearsay and rumour. Given its faults, why was The Unknown Brahms met with such acclaim by American critics? This article analyses the book’s early reception to explain its public success. Interpreting a range of reviews published in large-circulation newspapers, I situate The Unknown Brahms’s reception within the discursive context of the middlebrow, to which musicologists have devoted increasing attention in recent years. I also point to the prominence of popular psychology in interwar American society and its importance to a new paradigm of humanistic biography. I argue principally that The Unknown Brahms engrossed middlebrow readers and critics because it was an effective work of music appreciation which allowed lay listeners to engage empathetically with Brahms’s music. By contributing a new case study of Brahms’s American reception, the article broadens understandings of Brahms’s cultural status in the twentieth century.
Effect of the period of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic on basic food consumption and health behaviours of a sample of the spanish population
Authors: Cerdá Olmedo Germán , Sandri Elena , Cabo Asensi
Published: February 2023

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the reality of life, work and relationships of the Spanish population has suddenly changed. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the period of confinement on the behaviour of the population.
The participants were people of Spanish nationality who did not have chronic or mental illnesses that could affect their diet or emotional state.
The sample consisted of 519 people, from all over Spain, 351 participants were women and 168 men. Most of the sample was made up of subjects between 18 and 30 years old.
We proposed an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study using surveys. An ad hoc questionnaire was designed to explore a series of variables: eating habits, social relationships and some emotional aspects. The questionnaire was distributed for eight weeks using non-probabilistic snowball sampling.
In general, eating behaviours were improved in the period of confinement. The population consumed more home-made food prepared by themselves. Women suffered more emotional and psychological burdens during confinement than men. Younger people suffered more intense emotional issues during confinement.
The period of confinement did not significantly affect the physical condition of the population. The most negative impact was recorded on psychological and social variables, as well as on work and studies.
Efficient numerical evaluation of weak restricted compositions
Authors: González-Santander Juan Luis
Published: February 2023

We propose an algorithm to calculate the number of weak compositions, wherein each part is restricted to a different range of integers. This algorithm performs different orders of approximation up to the exact solution by using the Inclusion-Exclusion Principle. The great advantage of it with respect to the classical generating function technique is that the calculation is exponentially faster as the size of the numbers involved increases.
Inflammatory environment in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Ventura Ignacio
Published: February 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the main cause of the pandemic viral pneumonia known as COVID-19. Some studies suggest that, in this disease, lymphopenia is the most common sign of infection, as well as increased CRP and IL-6 caused by a cytokine storm directed at the lungs. Therefore, the hypothesis of the study is to make a systematic revision of scientific studies linked to the immunological phenomenon known as COVID-19.
Objectives: The main aim is to study the cytokine storm of COVID-19, as well as to determine the role of IL-6 and T-lymphocytes.Methods: A search strategy was made through the PICOS questions, based on the PRISMA method. The MeSH terms were looked up on PubMed, Google Scholar and SciELO (2019-2021). The level of quality was sought according to the ranking of Scimago institutions, and the H index of the journals was assessed.
Results: 43 articles were included, and clinic, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis were compared. A decrease in TCD4 / CD8 lymphocytes was shown in patients with severe disease, as well as an increase in IL-6 and CRP.Conclusions: The immunological phenomenon known as COVID-19 is characterized by lymphopenia and an increase in IL-6 amongst critically ill patients. Monitoring those parameters could help to understand the progression of the COVID-19 disease.
Perfiles sobre tiempo de lectura y comprensión de textos impresos y digitales en estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Bresó-Grancha Noemí , Del Río-Carmona Minerva , Mora-Roda Carla , Jorques-Infante María José , Moret-Tatay Carmen
Published: February 2023

La literatura ha mostrado los efectos perjudiciales de la lectura digital frente a la tradicional impresa. No obstante, restan cuestiones subyacentes a la dificultad del texto y los perfiles de los lectores cuando estos poseen una preferencia por un texto en concreto. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo examinar los perfiles de los estudiantes Universitarios que prefieren textos digitales, en términos de tiempos de lectura, reconocimiento de palabras y comprensión lectora en soportes digitales e impresos. Se seleccionaron textos sencillos para una tarea de comprensión lectora, contrabalanceada entre soportes digitales e impresos. De este modo, se llevó a cabo un análisis por conglomerados para el desarrollo de perfiles sobre las variables anteriormente descritas.
Aplicación de la topología molecular a la predicción de la actividad repelente de un grupo de carboxiamidas frente a Aedes aegypti
Authors: Catalá-Sánchez Bárbara , Meca-Zapata Alberto , Zúñiga-Orozco Marilyn , Bruno Louisemine , Gálvez Jorge , García Domenech Ramón
Published: February 2023

El mosquito Aedes aegypti presenta características biológicas que lo convierten en un vector importante en el ciclo de transmisión de diferentes patógenos, en especial arbovirus. Durante la última década, la carga de dengue y otras enfermedades tales como la fiebre del zika o fiebre chikungunya se han incrementado. La expansión de dengue ocasionada por este vector, principalmente en América, representa actualmente uno de los problemas más grandes de salud pública, siendo endémico en más de 30 países. Frente a la falta de tratamientos específicos para tratar las infecciones transmitidas por este mosquito, los esfuerzos por hacerle frente se han focalizado en el control vectorial, aplicando diversas estrategias de combate, entre las que se incluye la aplicación de insecticidas y larvicidas para conseguir su eliminación, así como el uso de repelentes como estrategia de protección individual. La búsqueda de nuevos repelentes puede realizarse mediante diferentes herramientas, donde se incluye la topología molecular. En este contexto, computacionalmente a través de un modelo topológico-matemático, evaluamos la potencial actividad repelente de una serie de carboxiamidas preseleccionadas mediante el uso de análisis discriminante lineal y de regresión multilineal. Tras este cribado virtual basado en el modelo seleccionado, proponemos nuevas estructuras químicas con una actividad potencialmente activa como repelentes contra Aedes aegypti.
Software Development Techniques In Current Scenario
Authors: Nagalakshmi S
Published: February 2023

Now a days, technology of Internet become very fast growing development and rapid advancement in software. Internet is very essential resource for the people. IOT, Machine Learning, Big Data technologies, Artificial Intelligence etc., are some of the new technologies with variety of applications all over the world. Predicting the future in the computing Industry is very harder. In the field of software introduces of key changes to the research process. As a result, the software research is blowing in increasing breath of topics that tends to Implementation. Software technology today is improving at a rapid growth, enabling faster change and progress, Causing an accelerating of the rate of change. It is not only technology trends and emerging technologies that are extend, a lot more has changed this year due to COVID-19. The software development techniques may tend to learning and relearning process.
Machine Learning Techniques for 5g And Beyond
Authors: Angalaeswari T , Logeswari M
Published: February 2023

In today's world, wireless communication systems are extremely important for applications related to entertainment, business, commerce, health and safety. These systems continue to advance from generation to generation and at this time, fifth generation (5G) wireless networks are being deployed globally the globe. Beyond 5G wireless systems, which will represent the sixth generation (6G) of the evolution, are already being discussed in academia and industry. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to such wireless networks will be one of the primary and essential elements of 6G systems. According to our present understanding of wireless technologies up to 5G, every component and building block of a wireless system, such as the physical, network, and application layers, will involve one or more of them.
Overview of Cryptography
Authors: Archana B U , Niranjana V
Published: February 2023

Until very recently, the term "cryptography" was almost always used to refer to "encryption," which is the act of transforming plaintext or conventional information into an unintelligible form (called cipher text). Decryption is the opposite, or the process of returning plaintext from the unintelligible cipher text. The encryption and reversing decryption operations are carried out by a pair of algorithms known as cyphers (or cyphers). The algorithm and, in each case, a "key" work together just to regulate the precise operation of a cypher. The key, which is required to decrypt the cipher text, is a secret that should ideally only be known by the communicants. It typically takes the form of a short string of characters that the user can remember. A "cryptosystem" is the ordered list of elements with a finite number of potential combinations in formal mathematics.
Block Chain for IOT Security Using Consensus Algorithms
Authors: Kalpana P , Anusha Prem I
Published: February 2023

The first distributed recordkeeping system with a built-in trust structure is the block chain. It creates a dependable architecture for decentralized control through information redundancy across multiple nodes. Based on this, this study suggests a minimal block chain-based IoT information exchange security framework. The framework uses a double-chain approach that combines the data block chain and the transaction block chain. Distributed storage and tamper-proof data are implemented in the data block chain, and the consensus process is improved using the improved practical Byzantine fault-tolerant (PBFT) mechanism. Data registration efficiency, resource and data transfers, and privacy protection are all enhanced by better partial blind signature-based algorithms in the transaction block chain. This article focuses on how well the consensus algorithms employed in a block chain system for the Internet of Things perform (IoT). Such systems' time requirements to accomplish. Consensus ought to be minimal. The three most popular consensus algorithms—modified proof of work, realistic byzantine fault tolerance, and binary consensus—are assessed under various conditions, including mote type, number of participating nodes, and radio propagation model. To enable an IoT node to switch between different consensus algorithms, a comprehensive solution is put forward. The Contiki IoT operating system simulations display strong performance (time to achieve consensus less than seconds)
Mobile Robotic Arm for Opening Doors Using Proximal Policy Optimization
Authors: Kokila M , Amalredge G
Published: February 2023

The traditional robotic arm control method has strong dependence on the application scenario. To improve the reliability of the mobile robotic arm control when the scene is disturbed, this paper proposes a control method based on an improved proximal policy optimization algorithm. This study researches mobile robotic arms for opening doors. At first, the door handle position is obtained through an image-recognition method based on YOLOv5. Second, the simulation platform CoppeliaSim is used to realize the interaction between the robotic arm and the environment. Third, a control strategy based on a reward function is designed to train the robotic arm and applied to the opening-door task in the real environment. In this paper PPO algorithm is used to solve the result. The experimental results show that the proposed method can accelerate the convergence of the training process. Besides, our method can effectively reduce the jitter of the robotic arm and improve the stability of control.
A Survey on “Medicines at Your Fingertips”
Authors: Pachpute Rushikesh , Jadhav Abhishek , Shinde Aditya , Naik Kaustubh , Gawai S. V
Published: February 2023

Medicines at Your Fingertips is a website aimed to provide all the information about any medicine, it’s side effects and all the other health related information. All the data of the medicines is stored in our database and it is fetched during the execution of user’s request. We have created the frontend using HTML, CSS, JS, JQUERY, JQUERY UI and Bootstrap. The Backend is built using Django Framework of Python. Our website contains 6 main components which are: Chatbot: An intelligent chatbot which will give any information that the user has asked. The AI chatbot is created using the Pytorch library of python. It will also help the user to navigate from the whole website. Drugs a to Z, a drug dictionary to give all the information about the desired medicine. There are 2 ways to search the medicine. Pill Finder: To search the medicine alphabetically or using the search bar Phonetic Search: To search the medicine using voice command. Drugs By Condition: It contains the information about all types of health conditions, their causes and treatment along with some medicines which are used to treat them. Side Effects: It also has alphabetically sorted medicines which gives the information about the side effects of the particular medicine along with a search bar. First Aid: This part consists of 3 components which gives the information about first aid treatments and My Med List to set reminders for the doses of your medicine.
Object Recognition in Earth Surface Satellite Images Using Digital Image Processing and Machine Learning Techniques with Big Data Technologies
Authors: k Misba Khan
Published: February 2023

Detection of an object from a satellite image is a difficult process because the presence of objects in a satellite image is unpredictable. Different approaches have been available to detect vehicles, buildings, trees however all these objects were detected individually through machine learning and some other methods. Similarly accuracy in object detection is another major issue. In our proposed work, To analyze the object accurately, Polygon approach is implemented which includes both shape and color as input and processes it with datasets to attain maximum accurate result. Here image parameters have been extracted accurately through feature detection. After segmentation of a particular object from image CNN classification is implemented. Through this, in our proposal we are going to detect roads, trees, buildings, waterway and few other objects accurately with this single approach.
Thyroid Detection using Machine learning
Authors: Adhav Savita , Jadhao Vipul , Markad Abhishek , Jadhav Suraj
Published: February 2023

Thyroid is a gland which is present in front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe (trachea). Thyroid shape is like Butterfly that’s smaller in the middle and 2 side wings which are around the throat. As Thyroid is a gland it is important in our body when thyroid produces too much thyroid hormones then that condition is called hyperthyroidism and if thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormones then that condition is called hypothyroidism. Machine learning is one of the most important tools to classify the diseases nowadays whether a person has a disease or not like Cancer detection, kidney disease detection or Diabetes etc. Our project is to predict whether a person has Thyroid disease or not. Whether he has hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, or he is not suffering from thyroid disease.
Case study of testing different materials for seat belt retractor torsion bar by the means of finite element analysis
Authors:   Transilvania University of Brașov, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Romania, Nituleasa Bogdan Ioan , Radu Alexandru Ionut , Motoc Dana Luca
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the use of various materials for the force limiter torsion bar found in an automotive seat belt assembly. We have selected the following materials: carbon steel, cast stainless steel, cast low alloy steel and cast aluminium alloy. The primary method used for this study is finite element analysis (FEA) and the use of the named materials on a 3D model of the torsion bar, constructed using the dimensions of a standard part. The 3D models were created with a 3D CAD program and the FEA analysis was carried out with special software. For the input values, the torsion bar was fixed at one corner and a 360 degree rotation shift at the other corner. A fine mesh of 1.5 mm/element was also set to get a more accurate analysis. The results of this study are in the form of stress, strain, safety factor and displacement plots generated by the FEA analysis software showing the difference between the materials. The main outcome of the study is to determine the best overall material to manufacture the part in terms of performance and cost.
Hypomagnesemia: A Clinical Approach in Chronically Ill Patients with Multiple Comorbidities
Authors: Nagy Hassan
Published: February 2023

Magnesium (Mg) is vital for many biochemical and physiological metabolic processes in the normally functioning human body physiology. Hypomagnesemia in hospitalized patients is particularly common among those with chronic illnesses with preexisting comorbidities and maybe other electrolyte abnormalities. Hypomagnesemia can cause fatal complications that lead to severe symptoms or death. However, it is often underdiagnosed. Hypomagnesemia in this cohort of patients prompts proper diagnosis and adequate correction.

Mg deficiency in chronically ill patients can be caused by multiple etiologies mainly due to gastrointestinal and/or renal disorders or is associated with other electrolyte abnormalities like hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. Consequently, it could lead to possible severe neuromuscular and cardiovascular complications. Magnesium levels in the serum can be easily assessed and corrected by repletion therapy. More clinical trials and investigations on the repletion therapy and treatment strategies are warranted.

Hospitalized patients with chronic illnesses and comorbidities are at higher risks of hypomagnesemia whether they present with low Magnesium serum levels only or associated with clinical manifestations. Those patients should receive Magnesium repletion therapy and continue to be monitored for serum Magnesium levels until it becomes within the normal range.
Análisis de vegetación, cuencas y zonificación: Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, Venezuela
Authors: Rebolledo López Deisy Coromoto
Published: February 2023

Esta investigación identificó, cuantificó y analizó la cobertura vegetal del Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, relacionando cuencas hidrográficas y unidades de zonificación con la unidad de vegetación bosque nublado (BN). Para esto se usó una gama de información cartográfica de diversas instituciones, escalas, representación, formatos y software. Entre los hallazgos se evidenció reducción de las superficies bajo bosques, causada por incendios. Los BN ocupan la mayor superficie (38,8%). Las áreas quemadas bajo BN son invadidas por herbazales. La cuenca de Chuao es la que tiene mayor área cubierta de BN. La cuenca del rio Güey es la única cuenca, de la vertiente sur, sin BN. La zona de protección integral (ZPI) ocupa la mayor superficie y ésta está presente en todas las unidades de vegetación. Además, gran proporción del parque está bajo la ZPI y de éstas 56,9% son bosques; y simultáneamente, 41,8% son BN.

 

Abstract

This research identified, quantified, and analyzed the vegetation cover of Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela, in relation to watersheds and zoning units by means of cartographic information from a number of institutions, scales, representation, formats, and software. Among the findings, there was a reduction in the areas under forests, caused by fires. The BN occupy the largest area (38.8%). Burned areas under BN are invaded by grasslands. The Chuao basin is the one with the largest area covered by BN. The Güey river basin is the only basin, on the southern slope, without BN. The integral protection zone (ZPI) occupies the largest area and it is present in all the vegetation units. In addition, a large proportion of the park is under the ZPI and of these, 56.9% are forests; and simultaneously, 41.8% are BN.
Understanding of Tax Regulations, Tax Administration and Taxpayer Morale towards Tax Planning
Authors:   Accounting Faculty of Economics and Business Asian Banking Finance and Informatics Institute of Perbanas, South Jakarta, Indonesia 12940, Erasashanti Annathasia Puji , Nurani Nuansa Aulia ,   Accounting Faculty of Economics and Business Asian Banking Finance and Informatics Institute of Perbanas, South Jakarta, Indonesia 12940, A.R. Hikmah ,   Accounting Faculty of Economics and Business Asian Banking Finance and Informatics Institute of Perbanas, South Jakarta, Indonesia 12940
Published: February 2023

This study aims to analyze the effect of understanding tax regulations, tax administration, and taxpayer morale on the tax planning of MSME actors in the Cikarang area. This study used a quantitative method using a Likert measuring device and the data used were primary data obtained from questionnaires filled out by 100 MSME’s respondent in the Cikarang area. The data analysis technique in this study was multiple regression using the SPSS version 26 application. The results of this study indicate that: Understanding of Tax Regulations and Tax Administration has a significant effect on Tax Planning. Meanwhile, Taxpayer Morale has no significant effect on Tax Planning.
Optimizing Risk Mitigation Analysis of Business Development Division (Case Study: Urban Transportation Division at PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero)
Authors:   Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia, Hutagaol Nadya Angginaggustin , Rahadi Raden Aswin ,   Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
Published: February 2023

The community can use various alternative modes of transportation, and the train is still the choice for most Indonesian people. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), the object of this research, has 2 main businesses, namely the railroad and the non-railroad businesses. A company’s business processes do not stop until the company benefits from the business it does, but in this highly complex and interconnected world, the risk is everywhere. Risk management is an important discipline for companies, institutions, and society in today’s modern business world. Risk management is carried out based on the ISO 31000:2018 framework. This research will discuss optimizing risk mitigation strategies as a tool for the business development division to provide effectiveness and how to implement these solutions in the real world. Sources in this study came from secondary data such as annual reports, audited financial reports, and project studies in the Urban Transportation Business Development Division of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), discussions, and interviews with related parties. Some of the tools used in this study are PEST to analyze external companies, McKinsey 7S Framework to analyze external companies, and the Enterprises’ Risk Management method for the risk management process. Managing risk through optimizing risk mitigation can reduce and minimize loss exposure. Based on the risk matrix score results, the company can take risk treatment, whether the risk must be mitigated or accepted. The risk level score from the risk matrix is used to make underwriter decisions in the risk acceptance process at the Business Development Division of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero).
Antecedent of Family Business and Demography on Business Intention towards Start-Up Group
Authors:   Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Sudarwanto Tri , Rahman Zainur ,   Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surjanti Jun ,   Department of Economics Education, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Published: February 2023

There have been many research and studies conducted in order to find out the business intention of a start-up business, including possible factors that can influence the decision in doing business. Nowadays, most of higher education institutions, not only business schools but also other higher institution, promote entrepreneurship as a compulsory course in order to encourage students to start their business. Students, as a start-up business group, become objects of the study regarding start-up business and variable concerned. They serve as a factor that need to be carefully included in designing appropriate business-based learning curriculum. Accordingly, this study aims to find out whether family business and demography of students significantly affect their business intention. This study used qualitative approach and two-ways Anova to test the determinants. The results showed that both determinants, demographic factors (rural and urban) and family business background do not significantly affect the business intention of students in starting up their business.
Financial Deepening and Economic Growth in Zambia
Authors:   Department of Economics, Mulungushi University, Zambia, Gebremeskel Yordanos , Chilanga Malizyani ,   Department of Economics, Mulungushi University, Zambia
Published: February 2023

A strong financial system with a wide range of financial services has an impact on economic growth and development. In this paper, we examine the effects of financial deepening on Zambia’s economic growth using data from 1986 to 2017. Financial deepening is approximated by domestic credit to the private sector as a ratio of GDP (DCPY), liquid liabilities as a ratio of GDP (LLY), and financial system deposits as a ratio of GDP (FSD). We use bound test approach to co-integration that justified the use of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study found that DCPY had an insignificant effect in the short-run but a significant negative effect in the long-run, whilst the variables LLY and FSD had insignificant effects in both the long-run but their two previous values had significant effects in the short-run. LLY’s values had positive significant effects while FSD’s values had negative significant effects. Therefore we concluded that there is weak link between financial deepening variables and GDP growth rate in Zambia.
MM. BAKHTIN AS A PROFESSIONAL LINGUISTIC PERSONALITY OF A PHILOSOPHICAL TYPE’S PHILOLOGIST
Authors: Bektursinova Aysultan
Published: February 2023

The object of the study is the idiodiscourse of the outstanding philologist M.M. Bakhtin, the subject of the study is the integral and differential features of M.M. Bakhtin as a realization of the professional linguistic personality of a philologist. The purpose of the study is based on the material of the idiodiscourse of M.M. Bakhtin, within the framework of comparative linguistic and rhetorical analysis, to reveal the invariant core and individual features of the professional linguistic personality of a philologist. The set goal predetermines a number of specific tasks: 1. to consider the history of the issue: to summarize the studies of a professional linguistic personality undertaken earlier in domestic and foreign science, implemented precisely on the material of professionally oriented texts; 2. to study the history of the analysis of a professional linguistic personality - and just a personality as such - M.M. Bakhtin: an extensive corpus of works by domestic and foreign scientists on Bakhtin studies; 3. analyze the texts of books and articles by M.M. Bakhtin from the content-semantic, compositional, linguistic and stylistic side.
STATISTICAL STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL SECTOR GROWTH ON MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS
Authors: Abdiqulova Dilnoza
Published: February 2023

The article presents a statistical study of the impact of the growth of the agrarian sector on macroeconomic indicators and the results of the statistical analyzes carried out in this process. The growth rates of the production of agricultural products in our republic were analyzed by years and regions and general conclusions were given.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for treatment of osteoradionecrosis of mandible in head and neck surgery patients - A way forward into the future with promising clinical Outcomes
Authors: Ainulakbar Mughal  , Merhaba Aftab  , Abdul Basit Shah Vardag  , Zubair Khan  , Hamdan Ahmed Pasha  , Muhammad Sohail Awan
Published: February 2023

Managing osteoradionecrosis is an integral part of complication management in head and neck cancer patients. While essentially an infection, the management of this complication has a considerable task for head and neck surgeons. While various measures have been discussed for the management, stem cells injection therapy is a potential management option. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy provides the local tissue with growth factors and proliferative cells that can aid a radiated tissue in the healing process.  The article intends to review the bedrock of the pathology, ranging from pathophysiological and the epidemiological concerns to sparking a potential discussion on the use of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in osteoradionecrosis of mandible in head and neck cancer surgery and thus the ensuing future of the regenerative medicine.
Continued...
Use of pumice aggregate in cementitious rheoplastic lightweight concrete
Authors: GÜNDÜZ Lütfullah , KALKAN Şevket Onur
Published: February 2023

Rheoplastic lightweight concrete (RLC) is generally designed for pumping applications as fluid
concrete free from segregation. Concrete is produced using polymeric admixtures to enhance
concrete workability, strength, drying shrinkage, and durability. This research investigated the
suitability of natural porous pumice aggregates in Turkey to obtain rheoplastic lightweight
concrete with cement content in normal ranges. To produce and experience rheoplastic concrete mix design data, rheoplastic lightweight concrete mixes were tested with fine pumice
aggregate (FPA) and coarse pumice aggregate (CPA) supplied from the Nevşehir region of
Turkey. For rheoplastic lightweight concrete with cement contents in the 250 to 400 kg/m3
range, the percentage of fine pumice aggregates required was in the 73.6-81.0% range with
complimentary water/cement ratios of between 0.53 and 0.68. The upper compressive strength
limit was circa 30 N/mm2
. The research findings determined that the rheoplastic concrete samples with pumice aggregate met the design requirement of a slump value of 200 mm for fresh
concrete predicted for fluid concrete forms. While technical properties of hardened concrete
such as oven-dry density (1198-1362 kg/m3
), strength values, static elasticity modulus (9236-
10756 MPa), thermal expansion coefficient (5.354 x10-6/°C - 6.929x10-6/°C) and thermal conductivity value (0.405-0.619 W/mK) decrease with increasing aggregate/cement ratios, they
increase with increasing cement dosage. In addition, the high amount of fine pumice in concrete composition results in lower drying shrinkage and wetting expansion with decreasing
cement dosage. The technical findings showed that RLC might be produced by using a superplasticizer and air-entraining admixtures and mixtures of different sizes of pumice aggregates.
Cetaceans and mass strandings in Thai waters
Authors: Adulyanukosol Kanjana , Thaongsukdee Surasak , Kittiwattanawong Kongkiat
Published: February 2023

A total of 25 species of cetaceans have been recorded in Thai waters from stranding and sighting records. A summary of these, together with details of five mass strandings on the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand, are reported here. The first mass stranding, of nine spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) was at Talibong Island, Trang Province, in January 1999; six carcasses were examined and three were lost. The second record comprised five spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) stranded at Ban Ko Kho Khao, Phang-nga, in February 1999; two dolphins were released alive. The third stranding was of eight spotted dolphins at Mai Phai Island, Phang-nga, in March 2006; five animals died and three were released alive. The fourth mass stranding was of 30 false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) at Racha Yai Island, Phuket, in June 2008; 29 animals were released while one drowned. The fifth record consisted of three rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) stranded at Nam Bor Bay, Phuket, in July 2008; all three were returned to the open sea. It was difficult to determine the causes of death of the stranded dolphins. However, it was possible that the first two mass strandings were caused by disease. Some strandings were possibly influenced by the landscape of the stranding locations (narrow bay in one case, wide gently sloping beach in another).
Cetaceans and cetacean research in India
Authors: Kumarran R. P.
Published: February 2023

The diversity of cetacean species in Indian waters is high, with 25 species recorded so far. Records of cetaceans from India during the last 200 years have provided insights into their spatiotemporal distribution, behaviour, feeding, reproduction, fishery interaction and pollution. The cetacean fauna is dominated by pantropical species, with a relatively high abundance of spinner dolphins, which is similar to other areas studied within the northern Indian Ocean. Historical records were analysed to propose an inventory of cetaceans. Cetacean diversity was highest in the Gulf of Mannar on the southeast coast of India, which with 14 species recorded from a small area can be considered a ‘hot spot’ for further research. Fishery interactions, domestic consumption, pollution and lack of quality information to inform management are the main threats for successful survival of cetaceans. The status of information regarding cetaceans in India could be classified based on this study as: six species with adequate data; five species where data is restricted to a few geographic locations; four species for which data collection is being initiated; five species with sparse data; and six species which are difficult to observe.
A review of cetacean research and conservation in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ilangakoon Anoukchika D.
Published: February 2023

Sri Lanka is a developing island nation in the northern Indian Ocean. Travellers and historians have documented whales in the waters around the island as far back as the 14th century but the first scientific records of live cetaceans from vessel-based research observations were documented only in the early 1980s. Sri Lanka’s waters have high cetacean species richness with 27 species recorded to date and year-round abundance. Small cetaceans are however increasingly threatened due to the developing fisheries industry, with bycatch being a major cause for concern. Other identified threats include increasing shipping traffic and unregulated marine tourism. Cetaceans are protected by national legislation but implementation of the relevant laws and conservation measures is hampered by resource constraints. The prevailing gaps in knowledge are also due to a lack of resources to carry out dedicated long-term research on cetaceans in a developing country with more immediate human development priorities. Therefore strengthened law enforcement and finding adequate resources for sustained systematic research that can inform management decisions are priorities in Sri Lanka.
Cetacean sightings and acoustic detections in the offshore waters of the Maldives during the northeast monsoon seasons of 2003 and 2004
Authors: Clark Rebecca A. , Johnson Christopher M. , Johnson Genevieve , Payne Roger , Kerr Iain , Andersen R. Charles , Sattar Shahaama A. , Godard Celine A. J. , Madsen Peter T.
Published: February 2023

Despite its central position in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, little is known about the offshore cetacean fauna of the Maldives. Here we report survey results gathered by the R/V Odyssey in the Maldives during the 2003 and 2004 northeast monsoon seasons, and provide data on cetaceans from visual and acoustic observations. The survey was conducted over a period of 72 days and covered 10,915 track line kilometres. The main aim of the survey was to collect biopsy samples from sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) as part of a global survey of ocean pollutants. Totals of 157 sightings and 1,461 acoustic detections of 16 identified cetacean species were recorded. Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) and sperm whale were the most commonly sighted species. Sperm whales and pantropical spotted dolphins were particularly abundant in the southern Maldives. The cetacean acoustic detection rate was 2.5 times higher than in the eastern Indian Ocean and Western tropical Pacific, while the non-physeterid sighting rate was 1.7 times higher than the Eastern tropical Pacific and 6.7 times higher than the eastern Indian Ocean based on other research conducted by the R/V Odyssey using the same methodology. It is concluded that the Maldives has a diverse and seemingly abundant cetacean community.
Recent records of marine mammals in Tanzanian waters
Authors: Amir Omar A. , Berggren Per , Jiddawi Narriman S.
Published: February 2023

Marine mammal species diversity off Zanzibar and Tanzania, East Africa, has been recorded by the Marine Mammal Education and Research Group at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Zanzibar, Tanzania since 1998. The data presented in this report reflect the efforts of 10 years collection of information from marine mammals stranded and incidentally caught in Tanzanian waters. Additional information from dedicated surveys of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and incidental sightings reported by the general public are also provided. From 1992 through 2008 a total of 235 specimens of 13 cetacean species and the dugong were recorded. 214 (90.7%) records referred to specimens from bycatch in drift and bottom-set gillnets and 22 (9.3%) referred to specimens from strandings. Based on incidental catch and sightings records, Indo-Pacific bottlenose, spinner and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, observed year-round, and humpback whales, observed seasonally during July to November, were the most common species in Tanzanian coastal waters.
Organ weights of three dolphin species (Sousa chinensis, Tursiops aduncus and Delphinus capensis) from South Africa: implications for ecological adaptation?
Authors: Plon S. , Albrecht K. H. , Cliff G. , Froneman P. W.
Published: February 2023

Data from bycaught, but otherwise presumed healthy individuals can contribute important biological data on species of cetaceans that are otherwise lacking. This study utilises data collected from systematic necropsies performed between October 1970 and May 2010 on 142 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), 607 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), and 640 long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) incidentally caught and drowned in the shark nets off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The aim of this analysis was to: (1) determine average absolute and relative organ weights for the three taxa as baseline values for later pathological examinations; and (2) examine potential correlations with the physiology and ecology in the three genera. Body length-weight relationships were described for the three species, indicating that S. chinensis is more robust than T. aduncus, with D. capensis being the smallest species out of the three taxa. Organ weights, as a percentage of total body weight were examined for the three delphinids. Organs examined included heart, lungs and trachea, liver, kidneys, spleen, and testes. Relative heart, liver and kidney weights were significantly larger in the small-bodied, fast-swimming D. capensis, than in the slower, more coastal S. chinensis and T. aduncus, possibly reflecting differences in activity patterns between the three species. Relative lung and trachea weights were not significantly different in the three species. Combined testes weight, as a percentage of total body weight, in combination with information on group size and sexual dimorphism suggested a monogamous or extreme polygynous (harem) mating system in S. chinensis, frequent copulations in T. aduncus, and sperm competition in D. capensis. The results of the present study suggest that the relative sizes of the major organs in the three genera are a reflection of the differing life histories and ecologies of the species examined.
A note on observations of cetaceans in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, Australia to Israel, April 1995
Authors: Eyre Elizabeth J. , Frizell John
Published: February 2023

A forty-day voyage from Hobart (Australia) to Haifa (Israel) included a visual and acoustic census for cetaceans in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. One hundred and sixty-three sightings were made, 156 occurring within the Sanctuary. Twelve species were identified. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were encountered most frequently (51% of identified encounters), whilst spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) were numerically dominant. Other species identified included bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), pan-tropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), killer whale (Orcinus orca), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). The most sightings occurred WNW of the Seychelles, east of Somalia, and in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. Half of the sperm whale sightings were to the east of Ras Hafun (Somalia), and included adults, subadults and at least one calf. Thirteen hours were spent listening for cetaceans using a towed array whilst the ship was underway. Cetaceans were detected at 78% of the listening stations, with a possible four species recorded (sperm whale, spinner dolphin, pilot whale, bottlenose dolphin). The survey shows the value of platforms of opportunity for studying the pelagic communities of cetaceans in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. It highlights the need for further research in the northwestern sector where anthropogenic threats are varied and increasing.
Antarctic waters (Area V) near the Balleny Islands are a summer feeding area for some eastern Australian Breeding Stock E(i) Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Authors: Franklin Wally , Franklin Trish , Brooks Lyndon , Gibbs Nadine , Childerhouse Simon , Smith Franz , Burns Daniel , Paton David , Garrigue Claire , Constantine Rochelle , Poole M. Michael , Hauser Nan , Donoghue Michael , Russell Kirsty , Mattila David K. , Robbins Jooke , Oosterman Adrian , Leaper Russell , Harrison Peter , Baker Scott , Clapham Phil
Published: February 2023

Discovery mark tagging provided the first evidence of linkages between eastern Australian and Oceania Humpback whale breeding grounds and the Antarctic Area V feeding areas. Early investigation of movements of humpback whales in the Western Pacific led to the view that the Balleny Islands and the Ross Sea were the summer destinations for humpback whales from eastern Australia and the Oceania breeding grounds. Recent photo-identification (ID) studies provided further evidence of low levels of migratory interchange and complex linkages within Oceania and between eastern Australia and Oceania. We report here the migratory movement of three humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) between Eastern Australia (E(i) breeding stock) and the Area V Antarctic feeding area in the vicinity of the Balleny Islands. Using photo-ID techniques, comparisons between a Balleny Island fluke catalogue (n = 11 individuals) and existing fluke catalogues from eastern Australia (n = 3,120 individuals) and Oceania (n = 725 individuals), yielded three matches to Hervey Bay, Byron Bay and Ballina in eastern Australia and no matches to Oceania. The eastern Australia catalogue (n = 3,120) was made up of Hervey Bay (n = 1,556), Byron Bay, (n = 916) and Ballina (n = 648). The Oceania catalogue (n = 725) is made up of Tonga (n = 282); New Caledonia (n = 160); French Polynesia (n = 159); New Zealand (n = 41); Cook Islands (n = 36); American Samoa (n = 31); Vanuatu, Niue, Samoa and Fiji (n = 11) and Norfolk Island (n = 5). Only three previous individual photo-ID matches have been reported between eastern Australia Breeding Stock E(i) and Antarctic Area V feeding areas in the vicinity of the Balleny Islands and the Ross Sea. Only one genotype match has been reported between Antarctic Area V feeding areas and Oceania breeding grounds. An analysis of the frequencies of whales seen and not seen in the Balleny Islands, Oceania and eastern Australia, relative to the expected frequencies, based on the estimated population sizes and the sizes of the catalogues, supports the hypothesis that Antarctic Area V waters, in the vicinity of the Balleny islands, is a summer feeding area for some eastern Australian humpback whales.