bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les objets de couture à Belley (Ain) au XVIIe siècle. Le corpus du couvent des visitandines
Authors: Goy Michel , Bigot Stéphanie
Published: January 2024

La fouille de l’îlot de la Vieille Porte, à l’angle nord-est de l’agglomération de Belley, a mis au jour des vestiges d’occupation diachronique de La Tène à la période contemporaine. Qualifiée de maison forte en 1427, la tour de Châtillon est vendue en 1622 aux religieuses de la Visitation, qui n’y habitent qu’après 1624, jusqu’à l’incendie de juillet 1651 qui ravage entièrement les anciens bâtiments médiévaux jusqu’à la porte de l’Arc. Les religieuses s’installent provisoirement dans une maison proche du couvent et reconstruisent un second couvent basé sur le plan type de l’ordre. Plus de 800 objets appartenant aux religieuses et de la vaisselle qui avaient brûlé ont été étudiés. Le mobilier métallique et l’instrumentum découverts sur le site sont abondants, comportant notamment du matériel de couture et des accessoires vestimentaires.
Les métiers de la ville portuaire de la fin du Ier s. av. J.-C. au début du IIIe s. apr. J.-C.
Authors: Rougier Hélène
Published: January 2024

Cet article interroge la place des métiers liés au port dans des grandes cités maritimes (Ostie-Portus, Arles, Hispalis, Narbonne et Aquilée) mais aussi le lien entre ces métiers et d’autres activités urbaines, sous le Haut-Empire. Malgré ses lacunes et ses limites, la documentation épigraphique présente plusieurs intérêts. Elle donne accès à des métiers inconnus dans la littérature, révèle comment étaient désignés les noms de métiers, comment ils étaient intégrés dans les parcours sociaux et, parfois, comment les secteurs économiques pouvaient être associés entre eux. On peut établir alors une sorte de typologie des cités, relative à la façon de mettre en avant les métiers portuaires dans l’espace public, plusieurs facteurs entrant en jeu. Le lien entre le port et les autres secteurs économiques ne recoupe alors qu’en partie la typologie établie. L’importance économique et symbolique des métiers portuaires dans la ville a un impact sur les autres secteurs mais d’autres éléments sont à prendre en compte.
Le complexe portuaire antique de Marseille
Authors: Corré Xavier
Published: January 2024

Cette synthèse sur les découvertes archéologiques liées au port antique de Marseille est organisée par période chronologique et bénéficie d’un regard comparatiste avec les périodes médiévale et moderne. Cette approche révèle la pérennité sur un temps très long et dans un même contexte portuaire de certaines pratiques et insiste sur l’importance du complexe portuaire (port extérieur/port intérieur) et celle du curage.
Les pilae du port romain de Fossae Marianae
Authors: Fontaine Souen , El Amouri Mourad , Borel Laurent , Marty Frédéric
Published: January 2024

Découverte en 2014, la structure B, longue d’une centaine de mètres, émerge aujourd’hui du fond marin par 3 à 4 mètres de profondeur au centre de l’anse Saint-Gervais à Fos-sur-Mer. Elle s’inscrit dans un ensemble d’édifices appartenant au complexe monumental du port romain de Fossae Marianae situé à l’extrémité orientale du delta du Rhône et qui, en tant qu’avant-port maritime d’Arles, a constitué durant toute la période impériale l’une des principales portes d’accès aux provinces du nord-ouest de l’empire via l’axe rhodanien. La morphologie de la structure B, une succession de 12 piliers, et son positionnement - son extrémité méridionale s’avance vers la seule zone que nous savons être assurément en eau dans l’antiquité – permettent de l’assimiler aux structures portuaires romaines regroupées sous le terme de pilae. Elle se distingue néanmoins de la plupart d’entre elles par son mode de construction, en pierres de taille et non en opus caementicium.
À propos des « avant-ports » de Narbonne
Authors: Sanchez Corinne , Duperron Guillaume
Published: January 2024

La ville antique de Narbonne était reliée à une vaste lagune par le cours de l’Aude, nécessitant pour le commerce une navigation fluvio-lagunaire et des opérations de transferts de marchandises des bateaux de haute mer vers des embarcations fluviales. Autour des étangs, plusieurs sites sont considérés par l’historiographie comme des « avant-ports ». Or, excepté le site de Mandirac identifié comme l’embouchure du fleuve, il s’agit d’établissements littoraux dont le rôle dans le système portuaire restait à préciser. Deux sites ont fait l’objet de recherches récentes dans cet objectif : Saint-Martin à Gruissan et Port-la-Nautique à Narbonne. Le premier est situé à l’entrée de la lagune narbonnaise, le second en fond d’étang et proche de l’ancienne embouchure de l’Aude. Une approche interdisciplinaire a permis de renouveler la documentation nécessaire pour préciser leurs fonctions.
El denominado Molo della Lanterna (muelle de la linterna) en Portus
Authors: Bermejo Meléndez Javier , Campos Carrasco Juan M. , Sebastiani Renato , Fernández Sutilo Lucía , Bermejo Meléndez Alberto , Marfil Vázquez Francisco , D’Ammassa Cristian , Muñiz Guinea Fernando , Ruiz Muñoz Francisco , Gómez Gutierrez Paula
Published: January 2024

En el siguiente trabajo se exponen los resultados de las primeras actividades de excavación desarrolladas en la cabeza del muelle este-oeste de Portus, denominado de la lanterna (campañas 2017 y 2018). Estas actividades se enmarcan en el contexto de un convenio de investigación firmado entre el Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica y la Universidad de Huelva. El análisis arqueológico y arquitectónico y la excavación de diferentes áreas en la base de la cabeza del muelle permitieron un conocimiento preliminar de la estructura del mismo. De hecho, a través de las investigaciones, se han podido extraer interesantes datos relativos al sistema de construcción del muelle, así como a las últimas fases de vida de la estructura, en momentos de mediados del siglo. V d.C. Finalmente han podido documentarse interesantes datos para la comprensión del paleoambiente y de los niveles mareales durante el periodo de vida de la misma.
Data Envelopment Analysis for Improving the Microgrid Operations
Authors: Kuzatjike Uetutiza C. C. , Musti K. S. Sastry
Published: January 2024

Microgrid configurations provide a reliable and sustainable energy supply to off-grid settlements. Various energy sources, including renewable and non-renewables, are currently used to power the microgrids. Scheduling these energy resources and managing the microgrids can be challenging due to various constraints. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is one of the well-known solution methodologies that can be effectively used for energy management studies. This chapter applies a multi-objective DEA to the energy management of a typical rural, remote micro-grid supplied by a solar plant and diesel generator sets. The methodology utilizes the DEA algorithm to identify microgrid optimal configurations by considering technical, environmental, and economic factors. The Tsumkwe rural region of Namibia is considered for studying the DEA application and analysis. The study evaluated the energy system's performance under varying efficiencies, fuel consumptions, and generator capacities.
Role of AI in Strengthening ESG Governance
Authors: Jayalakshmi M. , Maria Sneha A. , Girish S.
Published: January 2024

Socially conscious investors, especially Gen Z, value ethics over money. ESG reports are as important as financial reports for them. ESG ratings from various sources can puzzle these Gen Z investors, as there is no standardization in ESG data. Firstly, the chapter focuses on the need to integrate AI into ESG reporting by highlighting the limitations of mere frameworks such as GRI, SASB, and ISSB. Secondly, it emphasizes the difference between traditional reporting and AI-integrated ESG reporting. It also points out the challenges of AI integration and ways to overcome these challenges. Lastly, the chapter also proposes the need for a unified framework, making it easier for investors to compare and make decisions.
Bridging Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Innovation
Authors: Martínez-Falcó Javier , Marco-Lajara Bartolomé , Sánchez-García Eduardo , Millán-Tudela Luis A. , Popescu Cristina Raluca Gh.
Published: January 2024

This research delves into the nexus between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green innovation performance (GIP) within Spain's wine sector. A novel conceptual framework is posited and empirically tested using a structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM), drawing on data from 202 Spanish wineries collated between September 2021 and January 2022. Findings underscore a robust positive correlation between CSR and GIP, with green intellectual capital (GIC) and knowledge management (KM) serving as pivotal mediators in this dynamic. This study augments the academic discourse in three salient ways: it illuminates the interplay between CSR and GIP in Spain's wine realm; pioneers the exploration of GIC and KM as mediatory factors in this relationship, a hitherto uncharted territory; and introduces a theoretical model, marking a significant stride in academic enrichment.
The Role of Air Pollution in the ESG Model at the World Level
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Leogrande Angelo
Published: January 2024

In the following chapter, the authors analyse the role of air pollution (AP) in the context of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) model. They use data from the World Banks' ESG Database for 193 countries during the period 2011-2020. They perform panel data with random effects, panel data with fixed effects, pooled OLS, and WLS. Results show that the level of PA is positively associated, among others, to “cooling degree days,” “CO2 emissions,” and “agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added,” and negatively associated, among others, to “terrestrial and marine protected areas,” “proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments,” and “mammal species threatened.” Furthermore, they confront eight different machine learning algorithms for the prediction of the future value of AP. Polynomial regression is the best predictive algorithm in the sense either maximization of R-squared either minimization of MAE, MSR, and RMSE. The future value of AP is expected to reduce on average of -0,060% for the analysed countries.
From Stockholm 1972 to Stockholm 2022
Authors: Vegas Edwin , López Wilfredo Vegas , Castanho Rui Alexandre
Published: January 2024

This chapter reflects on the significant developments in environmental awareness and action over five decades. It discusses the evolution of global perspectives on environmental challenges, tracing the journey from the inaugural Earth Summit in Stockholm in 1972 to the present day. This brief chapter highlights the progress, the challenges, and the urgent need for continued international cooperation to address pressing environmental issues. It also explores the role of subsequent summits and initiatives in shaping policies and promoting sustainable practices, ultimately emphasizing the ongoing relevance of the ecological agenda as we mark fifty years since the first Earth Summit.
Ethical Foundations of Scientific Publishing
Authors: Özen Fatmanur , Demircioğlu Aytekin
Published: January 2024

Publishing ethics govern the behavior of individuals and organizations involved in disseminating research, crucial for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the academic corpus. Adherence to ethical principles in scientific publications is vital for upholding research integrity, fostering trust, and advancing scientific knowledge. International organizations enforce these ethics, formulating guidelines and overseeing practices. This section introduces global publication ethics committees, explores Türkiye's national practices, and discusses measures to enhance scientific publication quality. The chapter identifies publication ethics violations in Türkiye, concluding with recommendations to mitigate transgressions.
Ethical Principles for Vulnerable Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Criminal Justice System
Authors: Dawes Glenn
Published: January 2024

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented and have higher rates of incarceration compared to non-Aboriginal people. They are more vulnerable in terms of being exploited and oppressed when interacting with institutions such as prisons. This chapter identifies several key ethical principles which constitute an Indigenous research paradigm. The paradigm guides researchers when working with and not on Indigenous people. The proposed paradigm is couched in a case study and describes how the key principles were applied in a research study with former prisoners and family members in two remote Aboriginal communities in Northern Australia.
Nonquantitative Research
Authors: Yigit Sureyya
Published: January 2024

In the field of qualitative – hermeneutic - social research there are a variety of different approaches and currents stemming from various philosophical and disciplinary traditions. However, most of the qualitative research styles share certain characteristics such as the research being very open in its approach to the researched subject. At the beginning of the research concerning the problem area, the researcher often chooses a broad thematic framework. During the research, work, focuses, modifications, and reorientations of interest may occur. Openness also means that the research process cannot be precisely planned or predicted in advance.
Feminist Perspectives on Rape in Africa
Authors: Njoroge Rose N.
Published: January 2024

Rape is a form of sexual violence prevalent globally. Sex subjects are taboo among most of the African communities and are not topics for discussions in public. They are often ignored by the legal advisers, leaving victims traumatized. Feminists agree that this act is wrong and dehumanizing. Despite the frequent reporting of rape cases by victims, perpetrators of the act are left freely without serious legal actions being taken. Therefore, this chapter examines the feminist perspective on rape in Africa. This was done by investigating how rape is understood in order to explain how it should be combated specifically in Africa. This chapter will also give a case study of Botswana, which, according to a study review done in 2023, is the lead in Africa with the highest incidents of 92.93%. The chapter will be based on review of scholarly works done by various scholars. Feminist mechanisms of women solidarity were emphasized to show women were not objects of pity.
Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa
Authors: Kihuha Mary Wanjiku
Published: January 2024

Ubuntu, as a philosophy, emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, and the importance of community wholeness. This chapter argues that women's experience in Africa has not benefited from this philosophy or its value system. Women in Africa are often treated as less than human and have borne the brunt of Africa's political and socio-economic instability. It also appears that Africa embraces the concept of interconnectedness and the value of every individual, as expressed in John Mbiti's philosophy of 'I am because we are.' However, women in Africa are subjected to dehumanization and subjugation in both public and private spheres. As such, this chapter asks an urgent question of how Ubuntu Philosophy is appropriated in Africa while one part of humanity is diminished. This chapter utilizes a retrieval methodology to explore cultural and religious windows of opportunity that affirm the humanity of women in Ubuntu context. The chapter discusses aspects of humanity within the context of ubuntu philosophy and how it affectes experiences of women in Africa.
Delayed Victories
Authors: Thomas James William
Published: January 2024

While many campuses seek to find ways to engage, support, and retain LGBTQIA+ students, there is often a lack of material in the curriculum and student-facing supports, such as libraries, multicultural centers, etc., that show the value and realities of the historical connection between academics and the pursuit of gender liberation. More historical elements, better representation, and connection could benefit all students. This chapter proposes one such history to aid that purpose: the early “Gay Liberation Movement” that saw interaction between research universities, various fields, and organizations seeking to increase opportunities and legal protections for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. By providing this history and encouraging campuses to embrace building it into their curriculum and campuses as evidence of how academia has supported the pursuit of equity, it can provide a meaningful, engaging, and significant presence to benefit all students in understanding the history of the pursuit of rights and the power of higher education.
Do employees loyal to you? examining the moderating effect of organizational justice on HRM practices and employee loyalty linkage
Authors: Renusha M.
Published: January 2024

The purpose of the present study is to empirically test the relationship between Human Resource Management Practices (HRM Practices) and Employee loyalty and to identify the moderating effect of Organizational justice on its linkage. A survey of 138 employees who were selected by using convenience sampling techniques in Sri Lankan apparel industries was conducted using a structured questionnaire to validate the proposed model. The study has used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for the empirical analysis and drawing conclusions. The empirical results of this study showed that HRM Practices are one of the major factors that make employees stay loyal to the organizations. Furthermore, Organizational justice significantly moderates the relationship between HRM Practices and Employee loyalty. Hence, organizations need to consider the Organizational justice at the top priority so that employees can stay in the organizations for a longer period. This finding confirms that the observed relationships hold true in different organizational settings and provides critical contributions to the research field of the apparel industry as well as suggests important recommendations for improving employee loyalty.
Effectiveness and impact of Covid-19 response and vaccination challenges in Namibia: a systematic review
Authors: Niikondo Andrew , Awofolu Omotayo
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Namibia, as with many countries around the world is experiencing devastating impact of Covid-19 disease on the economy, psycho-social interactions, and well-being of the populace. These countries implemented several measures to limit the spread of the virus responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Namibia also put measures in place to curtail the spread and fatalities due to the virus. However, the nature and implementation strategies of Public Health regulations seriously have impact on preventing the spread and curtailing fatalities arising from the virus. Objective: This article presents a report on the effectiveness and impact of Public Health measures instituted by the Health Authority towards curtailing the scourge of covid-19 on the general populace. Method: Elements of the PRISMA protocol was utilised in the review which enabled the synthesis of data on focused area. Multifaceted databases on covid- 19 such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia (MoHSS) among others was used.Result: A steady increase in covid-19 infection at an average rate of eleven (11) per day was noted in the country up till June 2021. Highest rate was linked to densely populated regions of Erongo and Khomas. Control measures for infection prevention and vaccination drive was ineffective majorly as a result of misinformation. Conclusion: A paradigm shift of enhanced interaction with local populace for effective information dissemination is required towards limiting the scourge of the virus and hence, saving of lives.
Expectations and experiences of urban and rural in-school adolescents of Adolescent Reproductive Health Services in Oyo state
Authors: Ilori Oluwatosin Ruth , Olarewaju Sunday Olakunle , Awodutire Phillip Oluwatobi , Ilori Oluwatosin Stephen , Bamidele James Olusegun
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Reproductive health information and services are fundamental to health, well-being and opportunities for women and young people, yet throughout the world, women and youths do not have access to quality reproductive health care thereby exposing them to unplanned pregnancy, teen birth, induced abortion as well as increased exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV inclusive. This study is meant to explore the expectation of adolescents of an adolescent reproductive health services as well as to assess the experiences of those who had visited an ARHS at the centers.Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional prospective study, analytic in design using a multistage sampling technique where 452 secondary school pupils in both rural and urban communities were interviewed using a pretested validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi square was used to test for association between both rural and urban adolescents in issues relating to their expectation and experiences, with p value of <0.05.Results: More of the respondents in the urban communities (73,32.4%) have the expectation that Adolescent Reproductive Health Services (ARHS) should be provided in an existing health service with special attention to adolescents while a larger percentage of those who preferred a special adolescent health institution were from the rural communities (122, 54.2%) which was statistically significant with a p value of 0.001. More of respondents from the rural communities also expect that contraception services should be provided in an ARHS center while life skill services are expected by more of the respondents from the urban communities (122, 55.6%). More of the rural community respondents (57,25.3%) expect that fee at the ARHS centers should be provided at a subsidized rate while more of the urban dwellers have the expectation that services provided should be free of charge. For respondents who had been to an ARHS center, more of the urban respondents were attended to by a Medical doctor and a large percentage (34, 94.4%) of those who had visited ARHS center before professed to be satisfied with the services rendered there.Conclusion: Expectations from adolescents from ARHS are very high. However, most of them prefer a free of charge service as well as a service area nearer to residential area. Confidentiality and having a young health professional at the service centers cannot be overemphasized in the provision of quality ARHS.Keywords: expectation, experiences, rural, urban, adolescents, reproductive health
Introduction to Indian clinical practice consensus guidelines for the management of squamous cell carcinoma the head-and-neck: Update 2022
Authors: Noronha Vanita , Prabhash Kumar , Babu K Govind , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Kuriakose Moni , Birur Praveen , Anand Anil K. , Kaushal Ashish , Mahajan Abhishek , Syiemlieh Judita , Singhal Manish , Gairola Munish , Ramachandra Prakash , Goyal Sumit , John Subashini , Nayyar Rohit , Patil Vijay M. , Rao Vishal , Roshan Vikas , Rath G. K. , Singh Jaskaran , Bhardwaj Bhanu
Published: January 2024

Head-and-neck cancer (HNC), a malignant tumor of the upper aerodigestive tract, is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. In India, around 30-40% of all cancers are HNCs. Even though there are global guidelines and recommendations for the management of HNCs, these may not be appropriate for the Indian scenario. In order to discuss current practices, and latest developments, and to come to a consensus on management strategies for different anatomical subsites of HNCs for Indian patients, a group of experts (medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, and dentists) came together. A review of literature from medical databases (PubMed, Google Scholar) was conducted to provide the best possible evidence, which was reviewed by experts in 2019 when the first consensus guidelines were developed. These guidelines were published in the Indian Journal of Cancer in February 2020. To update these guidelines regularly, the experts reconvened on July 27, 2022, and updated the recommendations for all subsites based on the recent evidence.
Evaluation of serum leptin and adiponectin and their associations with obesity-related renal injury among Egyptian adolescents
Authors: El-Shaheed Azza A , Fahmy Reham F. , Mahfouz Nermine N. , El-Zayat Salwa R , Sibaii Hiba , Moustafa Rehab S.I.
Published: January 2024

Background/aim

Childhood obesity has come to be a worldwide epidemic. Current epidemiological data advocate that obesity is linked with an increased threat of renal injury in children. Early markers will be beneficial in the prevention of renal injury.

The present study aimed to assess serum levels of leptin and adiponectin and their associations with comorbidities of obesity to examine their potential effects on obesity-related renal injury among Egyptian overweight/obese adolescents. In addition, the study aimed an analysis of the kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) to identify the early renal effect of obesity.

Subjects and methods

A case–control study was conducted on 45 Egyptian overweight/obese adolescents aged 10–18 years of both sexes and 44 age- and Sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum fasting glucose and insulin were analyzed, and a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was calculated. Serum leptin, adiponectin, and KIM-1 were measured using ELISA techniques.

Results

The overweight/obese group had significantly higher KIM-1 and leptin levels, and lower adiponectin levels in comparison to the control group (P=<0.05). Serum adiponectin levels had significant negative correlations, with both systolic (r=−0.480, P=0.013) and diastolic (r=−0.491, P=0.011) blood pressure, while serum leptin levels did not correlate with BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HOMA- IR, eGFR, or KIM-1 in the study group (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Leptin and adiponectin are the main pathogenic factors for renal injury in obese adolescents.
Comparative assessment of antibacterial effect of two types of laser and their effect on morphology and mineral content of dentin
Authors: Abdou Soha Adel , Moharrum Haythem S , Eltayeb Elsayed Abdallah
Published: January 2024

Background/aim

Scientists have proven that the main cause of endodontic diseases and failures is the existence of micro-organisms in the root canals and inside the dentinal tubules. So the aim of the study was to compare the antibacterial effect of Erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser and diode laser 980 nm alone and in combination with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm and also compare their effect on the morphology and mineral content of root canal dentin by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis.

Materials and methods

The specimens used in our study were fifty four extracted human single-rooted teeth. They were collected from the Dental Department of the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt. Mechanical preparation was done to all teeth after their crowns were removed. They were autoclaved, and after that, they were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 30 days. Roots were divided into six groups (each=9) according to type of treatment. Group A: 5.25% NaOCl, group B: Er,Cr:YSGG laser, group C: 5.25% NaOCl and Er,Cr:YSGG laser, group D: diode laser 980 nm, group E: 5.25% NaOCl and diode laser 980 nm, in addition to control group: saline. Their antibacterial effect was assessed before and after treatment. Changes in the morphology and mineral content of root canal dentin were assessed by SEM and EDX. Statistical analysis was done.

Results

Group C had significantly the highest percentage of Enterococcus faecalis reduction (98.95%), followed by group E (98.04%), then group D (95.27%), then group A (94.65%), then group B (92.99%), while the control group had significantly the lowest percentage of Enterococcus faecalis reduction (0.22%). Regarding SEM results, group B and group D exhibited score 1 (88.9%), control group and group C score 3 (77.8%), group A score 4 (88.9%), and group E score 5 (88.9%). Regarding EDX results, group B was significantly the lowest in Ca/P ratio, while there was an insignificant difference between other groups.

Conclusions

Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and diode laser, when used without 5.25% NaOCl irrigant, produced less morphological changes to dentinal tubules, but when combined with 52.5% NaOCl irrigant, produced more antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis. Lasers alone or combined with 5.25% NaOCl irrigant produced changes in the mineral content of root canal dentin.
Evaluation of the role of hydroxychloroquine as a lipid profile improving and glucose adjusting drug in Egyptian females with inactive rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: El-Hady Aliaa O. , Kamel Mai M. , Mosaad Yasmin T. , Ali Maha A. , El Molla Soad S.
Published: January 2024

Background/aim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that leads to joint destruction and disability with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in RA. Modifying CVD risk factors, such as lowering plasma glucose and total cholesterol, may be helpful for preventing CVD. A disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with a good safety profile and low cost has been reported to improve lipid profiles and glucose level in RA. The study was designed to evaluate the responsibility of HCQ in the improvement of lipid profile and glucose level in Egyptian Inactive Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) females.

Subjects and methods

This trial study included fifty adult RA females in remission treated with 400 mg daily of HCQ orally for 6 months. The patients are regular visiting outpatient clinic of rheumatology unit at the department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Mataria Teaching Hospital, National Institute of Neuro-Motor System (NINMS) and Rheumatology clinic at Centre of Medical Excellence of National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. Visits and follow-up are monthly to ensure adherence to treatment. All the patients have been evaluated at the start of the trial, after 3 and 6 months. Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), anthropometric parameters and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed.

Results

After 3 months of treatment, most of the metabolic characteristics were improved significantly. FBS level was significantly lowered (P<0.001), and lipid profiles were significantly improved as total cholesterol (P<0.001), HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001), LDL-cholesterol (P<0.001) and artherogenic index (TC/HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001) and LDL-C/HDL-cholesterol(P<0.001). The triglyceride level and the anthropometric variables were significant statistically as (P<0.001). Moreover after 6 months, all metabolic parameters were statistically improved as FBS (P<0.001), TC (P<0.001), TG (P<0.001), HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and artherogenic index (P<0.0001). Moreover, the best improvement was at 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion

HCQ significantly improved the blood glucose level in patients with inactive RA, in addition to the serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol and arthrogenic index. Moreover, lessen the use of anti-lipids and diabetic medications.
Relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and micronuclei scoring as a biomarker for DNA damage in Egyptian nicotine-dependent smokers: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Mohammed Asmaa Mahmoud , Farouk Dalia , Hashish Adel F.
Published: January 2024

Background/aim

About one-fifth of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco smoking. Nicotine-related DNA damage is thought to be the result of oxidative stress, whereas DNA damage can be represented in the form of binucleated micronuclei (BMNi). The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and micronuclei scoring in nicotine-dependent smokers.

Subjects and methods

The present study enrolled 112 Egyptian male participants, of which 45 nicotine-dependent smokers matched with 67 nonsmokers. All participants have been clinically evaluated and investigated for oxidative stress biomarkers, cytogenetic analysis of BMNi, and urinary cotinine creatinine ratio concentration.

Results

The smokers showed significantly higher mean values of the serum malondialdehayde concentration (P<0.05), and lower mean values of both reduced glutathione concentration and the serum total antioxidant capacity (P<0.05) in comparison to the nonsmokers. Moreover, the smokers showed significantly higher mean values of binucleated micronuclei score (P<0.05) than the nonsmokers. The linear regression model predicted that each increase in the serum malondialdehyde by 1 nmol/ml could increase the BMNi score by 2.7. On the other side, it is predicted that each decrease in the age of starting smoking by a year could be associated with a decrease in the plasma level of reduced glutathione by 0.5 mg/dl.

Conclusion

Serum level of MDA is a reliable tool to predict the binucleated micronuclei score in smokers. It is suggested that smoking at earlier ages worsens the natural antioxidant defense system. Smoking cessation and the use of supplementary antioxidants by smokers may regress the oxidative stress-induced DNA-damage.
A review of research and development of semi-supervised learning strategies for medical image processing
Authors: Yang Shengke
Published: January 2024

Accurate and robust segmentation of organs or lesions from medical images plays a vital role in many clinical applications such as diagnosis and treatment planning. With the massive increase in labeled data, deep learning has achieved great success in image segmentation. However, for medical images, the acquisition of labeled data is usually expensive because generating accurate annotations requires expertise and time, especially in 3D images. To reduce the cost of labeling, many approaches have been proposed in recent years to develop a high-performance medical image segmentation model to reduce the labeling data. For example, combining user interaction with deep neural networks to interactively perform image segmentation can reduce the labeling effort. Self-supervised learning methods utilize unlabeled data to train the model in a supervised manner, learn the basics and then perform knowledge transfer. Semi-supervised learning frameworks learn directly from a limited amount of labeled data and a large amount of unlabeled data to get high quality segmentation results. Weakly supervised learning approaches learn image segmentation from borders, graffiti, or image-level labels instead of using pixel-level labeling, which reduces the burden of labeling. However, the performance of weakly supervised learning and self-supervised learning is still limited on medical image segmentation tasks, especially on 3D medical images. In addition to this, a small amount of labeled data and a large amount of unlabeled data are more in line with actual clinical scenarios. Therefore, semi-supervised learning strategies become very important in the field of medical image processing.
Optimization Design of Surface-mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Cong Trinh Truong , Vu Thanh Nguyen , Pinto Gabriel , Quoc Vuong Dang
Published: January 2024

The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) has gained widespread popularity in various industrial applications due to its simple structure, reliable performance, compact size, high efficiency, and adaptability to different shapes and sizes. Its exceptional characteristics have made it a focal point in industrial settings. The PMSM can be categorized into two primary types based on the arrangement of the permanent magnets (PM): interior permanent magnet (IPM) and surface-mounted permanent magnet (SPM). In the IPM, the magnets are embedded into the rotor, while in SPM, they are mounted on the rotor's surface. The utilization of PMs eliminates the need for excitation currents due to their high flux density and significant coercive force. This absence of excitation losses contributes to a notable increase in efficiency. In this study, a multi-objective optimal design approach is introduced for a surface mounted PMSM, aiming to achieve maximum efficiency while minimizing material costs. The optimization task is accomplished using a genetic algorithm. Furthermore, the motor designs are simulated using the finite element method (FEM) to assess and compare designs before and after the optimization process.
Feasibility of Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma
Authors: Yoon Sang Eun , Shin Seung-Ho , Nam Dae Keun , Cho Junhun , Kim Won Seog , Kim Seok Jin
Published: January 2024

Purpose The feasibility of sequencing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma as a biomarker to predict early relapse or poor prognosis in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) receiving systemic immunochemotherapy is not clear.Materials and Methods We sequenced DNA from cell-free plasma that was serially obtained from newly diagnosed FL patients undergoing systemic immunochemotherapy. The mutation profiles of ctDNA at the time of diagnosis and at response evaluation and relapse and/or progression were compared with clinical course and treatment outcomes.Results Forty samples from patients receiving rituximab-containing immunochemotherapy were analyzed. Baseline sequencing detected mutations in all cases, with the major detected mutations being KMT2C (50%), CREBBP (45%), and KMT2D (45%). The concentration of ctDNA and tumor mutation burden showed a significant association with survival outcome. In particular, the presence of mutations in CREBBP and TP53 showed poor prognosis compared with patients without them. Longitudinal analysis of ctDNA using serially collected plasma samples showed an association between persistence or reappearance of ctDNA mutations and disease relapse or progression.Conclusion Analysis of ctDNA mutations in plasma at diagnosis might help predict outcome of disease, while analysis during follow-up may help to monitor disease status of patients with advanced FL. However, the feasibility of ctDNA measurement must be improved in order for it to become an appropriate and clinically relevant test in FL patients.
Case Report: Successful Treatment of Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis with Voriconazole: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Bai Hao , Li Chao , Lai Xiangyu , Hu Xiaogang , Li Lixian , Chen Wanyi
Published: January 2024

Fonsecaea monophora is a species of Fonsecaea that belongs to Chaetothyriales. It is usually isolated from tropical and subtropical regions, causing reactive inflammation, skin abscesses, and pain. Cerebral infection caused by F. monophora is rare but often fatal. Diagnosing this disease at an early stage is difficult, and appropriate antifungal therapy is often delayed as a result. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes who presented with a headache 2 months ago and progressive right-sided weakness of 1 month’s duration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying lesion in the left frontal lobe and corpus callosum. The cystic mass was removed by surgical intervention, and the identification of the sample based on sequencing of the internal transcribed spaced region in BLAST-N search showed that the sequences producing most significant alignments were F. monophora or similar (query cover 99%, E value 0.0, per ident 99.84). The patient was treated with a 3-month course of twice daily voriconazole, leading to complete recovery.
Child Injury Pattern and Mechanism Differences Based on the Front Seat Occupancy Status in Rear Impacts with Severe Structural Intrusions from the Rear
Authors: Thorbole Chandrashekhar
Published: January 2024

Child crash injury protection in severe rear impact chiefly depends on how well the rear survival space bounded by the vehicle structure is maintained. Previous research and studies have shown the ill effects of front seatback collapse intruding into the rear child survival space from front with minor or no intrusions from the rear.

This paper shows the child injury pattern and fatal injury mechanism for a rear impact crash with a severe compartment intrusion from the rear without any front seat occupant. Furthermore, it compares the injury outcome with a similar crash and severe intrusion in the presence of the front occupant employing a full-scale vehicle-to-vehicle crash test.

A detailed real-world crash investigation is conducted to identify the injury mechanism and is compared with the outcome of similar severity rear impact vehicle-to-vehicle crash tests producing different injury patterns. The comparison and the analysis show that the survival space intrusion due to safety cage collapse from the rear is the most significant factor in the presence or absence of the front seat occupant. The injury pattern changes with the same overall critical outcome. If the safety cage collapse intrusion and front seat occupancy are considered as two factors modulating the response of the injury pattern, then there is a significant interaction of these factors modulating the response.
Integration of Seat-Belt Web-Guide Functionality in Trim Part
Authors: D Gowtham , Bornare Harshad , Gangapuram Suresh , Deoli Manish , Ritesh Kakade , Sai Konduru , Kakani Phani Kumar
Published: January 2024

Restraint systems in automotives are inevitable for the safety of passengers. Seat belts are one such restraint system in automotives that prevent drivers and passengers from being injured during a crash by restraining them back. Seatbelt on automotives has interface with Body-in-white (henceforth called as BIW) and Trim parts in-order to serve its purpose at vehicle level. One such interface part of seat belt is the web guide, which assists and ensures the nylon web’s smooth motion at different seat track positions. Web-guides on automotives ensure the flawless motion of seat belt web at pillar trim areas. In this paper, we are discussing alternate ways of assisting the seat belt web without the web-guide as a separate part.

In-order to assist and ensure the motion of nylon web in its trajectory, we have extended the flange of the pillar trim involved. The paper throws light on the advantages of using an extended trim flange as web-guide for seat belt web instead of a separate web-guide (steel) part. A tentative ~80% saving per vehicle has been ensured by eliminating an external web guide and integrating it with pillar trim, without any compromise on the performance criteria.
Importance of Pole Side Impact Test for Assessment of Curtain Airbags
Authors: Jaju Divyan , Kulkarni Dileep , Mahindrakar Rahul , Mahajan Rahul
Published: January 2024

Government of India, in 2017, mandated a Side Impact Test (AIS 099 technically aligned to UN ECE Regulation No. 95.03 series of amendments) on M1 category Passenger Vehicles to ensure protection of occupants in lateral impact accident scenarios. Later, in 2022, a draft notification has been issued by the Government mandating installation of 6 airbags (2 Nos of thorax side airbags, 2 Nos of head protection or curtain airbags in addition to already mandated installation of Driver and Passenger Airbags) in all such passenger vehicles. However, the vehicles fitted with side thorax airbag and curtain airbags are proposed to be assessed as per AIS099 test only. Curtain Airbags are typically installed to protect occupant’s head from severe injuries in narrow object impacts simulated in Pole Side Impact Test Configurations. However, at present, India has not notified an equivalent standard to UN R135 demanding performance of the vehicle in pole side impact scenarios. Typically, OEMs may need to perform a series of Side MDB and Pole Side Impact Tests in order to integrate the thorax and side curtain airbags in the vehicle structure and to optimize their performance. However, non-existence of a mandatory standard for Pole Side Impact scenario creates a gap in the regulatory requirements and may lead to situations wherein such airbags are not validated to the minimum performance requirements. This paper compares the structural performance and occupant protection performance of the vehicles that are equipped with side thorax airbag and side curtain airbag in an AIS099 and UN R135 test scenario. The paper attempts to highlight the importance of conducting a Side Pole test in addition to the Side Impact test on a vehicle to better judge the performance of a thorax side and curtain airbag.
Framework for the Verification & Validation (V&V) of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Authors: Bhagat Ajinkya , Kale Jyoti Ganesh , Pachhapurkar Ninad , Karle Manish , R Manish , Karle Ujjwala
Published: January 2024

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems play a critical role in ensuring vehicle safety by detecting potential rear-end collisions and automatically applying brakes to mitigate or prevent accidents. This paper focuses on establishing a framework for the Verification & Validation (V&V) of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) by testing & verifying the functionality of a RADAR-based AEB ECU. A comprehensive V&V approach was adopted, incorporating both virtual and physical testing. For virtual testing, closed-loop Hardware-in-Loop (HIL) simulation technique was employed. The AEB ECU was interfaced with the real-time hardware via CAN. Data for the relevant target such as the target position, velocity etc. was calculated using an ideal RADAR sensor model running on the real-time hardware. The methodology involved conducting a series of test scenarios, including various driving speeds, obstacle types, and braking distances. Automation was leveraged to perform automated testing and report generation with pass-fail assessment for each test scenario. For physical testing, virtual test scenarios were recreated on a closed test track with the help of appropriate test equipment. Performance evaluation of the AEB ECU was conducted by installing it in a test vehicle and subjecting it to the recreated test scenarios. Test results and future scope are summarized at the end of the paper.
Investigation of Gasket Sealing Behavior of an All-Aluminum High Performance, New Generation Passenger Car Engine under Extreme Engine Operating Conditions
Authors: Dhadse Ashish , Dharan R Bharani , Vellandi Vikraman , Sasikumar M , Loganathan S.
Published: January 2024

The increasing demand for higher specific power, fuel economy, Operating Costs as well as meeting global emission norms have become the driving factors of today’s product development in the automotive market. Substitution of high-density materials and more precise adjustment of material parameters help in significant weight decrease, but it is accompanied by undesirable cost increase and manufacturing complexity. This becomes a challenge for every automotive engineer to balance the above parameters to make a highly competitive design.

This work is a part of the Design and Development of 2.2 L, 4 Cylinder TCIC Diesel Engine for a whole new vehicle platform, concentrated on automotive passenger car operation. This paper explains the selection of a suitable cylinder head gasket technology for a lightweight engine that acts as a sealing interface between the cylinder block and cylinder head. The decision to select aluminium alloy for both the cylinder block and head still allows the design to meet high peak firing pressure requirements of approximately 190 bar. The paper discusses the details involved in the selection of combustion bead profile, placement of bead profiles, design parameters for coolant and lubricant cross passages between block and head, need for required stiffness in the structural components to ensure a proper load transfer path, and basic sealing requirement with very minimal cylinder deformation.

Head Block Compound Simulation, Contact Pressure Analysis, and Bore Distortion analysis simulations have been performed and the results are discussed in detail. Appropriate functional evaluation results, durability observations, and reliability validation results are explained. The holistic approach has helped in the design and development of the cylinder head gasket which had been successfully validated and productionized.