bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grandeur et misère de l'office
Authors: Bertrand Michel
Published: July 2021

Appréhendant l’univers des officiers de l’administration des finances des xviie et xviiie siècles en Nouvelle-Espagne comme un espace social, cette étude reconstitue les pratiques, autant collectives qu’individuelles, d’un groupe de l’élite coloniale. La démarche suivie associe l’étude des parcours socioprofessionnels à celle de l’insertion familiale, sociale et économique de ces officiers. Au-delà, la reconstitution de leurs comportements débouche sur une réflexion relative aux modes de fonctionnement de l’appareil d’État dans une société coloniale de l’époque moderne.

L’originalité de l’approche permet de défricher de nouvelles interprétations concernant les enjeux, les objets et les moyens mis en oeuvre par le pouvoir métropolitain pour imposer son autorité à l’une de ses principales colonies. Simultanément, l’étude s’oriente vers une anthropologie de la pratique du pouvoir parmi les élites coloniales. La mise en évidence de l’étroitesse des relations nouées par les officiers royaux avec le milieu local souligne la place centrale des stratégies familiales et l’influence décisive des pratiques clientélistes. Débouchant sur de vastes réseaux relationnels, ces dernières constituaient l’une des principales forces d’animation et de structuration de la société coloniale. Leur reconstitution éclaire sous un jour nouveau la place des groupes familiaux au sein de l’appareil d’État impérial et renouvelle notre perception de l’exercice du pouvoir dans la Nouvelle-Espagne du xviiie siècle.
Nursing Homes in Spain and Their High Number of Deaths by COVID-19 as an Alarm in the Study of Indoor Air Quality
Authors: Sanglier Contreras Gastón , Rizzo Sierra Jose Amílcar , López Fernández Eduardo José , González Lezcano Roberto Alonso
Published: July 2021

Nursing homes have been one of the most prominent targets of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Spain. The factors that have determined that this is the case are very diverse. In this study, physical agents and chemical pollutants, population density, and different capacities of the residences are analyzed to see their influence on the number of elderly people who have died in the geriatric centres in the different autonomous communities (AACC) of Spain. A statistical analysis has been carried out on the variables observed. The conclusions show that in many places where this overflow of deaths has occurred, the residences were private, with some exceptions. The influence of physical agents and pollutants has been shown to be a determining factor, especially for the communities of Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, although it is true that the large number of factors makes the study complicated. The dilemma between air quality and energy efficiency is of great importance, especially when human health is at stake.
A Review on Conservation of Energy in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Odeyinka Oluwadara J. , Ajibola Opeyemi A. , Ndinechi Michael C. , Nosiri Onyebuchi C. , Onuekwusi Nnaemeka Chiemezie
Published: July 2021

This paper is a review on energy conservation in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Due to the nature of wireless sensor nodes in terms of deployment and their common usage in terrains with limited access, recharging or replacing sensor nodes batteries may be difficult. This paper examined various sources of energy in WSNs Battery, energy harvesting and energy transference. Also, various energy usage operations and energy wastage activities in WSNs were examined, and comparisons of different routing protocols based on network structure, energy dissipation, data communication cost, and entire energy usage in WSNs were itemized. The prospects of the machine learning (ML) approach in addressing energy constraint issues in WSNs were reviewed. This paper recommends a compound approach in routing decisions to maximize energy usage operation and minimize energy wastage activities, consideration for energy harvesting and transference mechanisms, and exploring the potentials in ML algorithms to resolve energy problem in wireless sensor networks.
Long-term fruit fly monitoring and impact of the systems approach on richness and abundance
Authors: de Araujo Mayara R. , Martins David dos S. , Fornazier Maurício J. , Uramoto Keiko , Ferreira Paulo S.F. , Zucchi Roberto A. , Godoy Wesley A.C.
Published: July 2021

We investigated ecological patterns of richness and abundance of Anastrepha fruit flies, based on a long-term series with a dataset from 1998 to 2010, subdivided into four subseries describing pest management through the systems approach (integration of different measures, at least two of which act independently, with cumulative effects), and its impact on abundance and diversity of fruit flies. Richness and abundance were influenced by time and distance but to different extents. Spatio-temporal analysis taking into account the implementation of the systems approach revealed clear effects of the pest management on fruit fly richness and abundance. However, abundance was affected by the systems approach three years before richness was. Abundance and richness also showed different relationships with time and distance between orchards and forest. The Gompertz model, used to describe the relationship between area and species richness, was the function that showed the best fit to the data. The richness-partitioning analysis, which decomposes beta diversity, indicated different distributions of richness values and predictions for additive partitioning that were directly associated with the implementation of the systems approach. The spectral analysis projected different trends for peaks, indicating that the systems approach is able to delay the time for new population peaks of fruit flies.
Real-Time Flight Simulation for Multirotor UAV Integrated with the Dynamic Inflow Aerodynamics
Authors: Park SunHoo , Yoo JeongUk , Lee Sihun , Shin SangJoon
Published: July 2021

A real-time flight simulation for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is performed in combination with dynamic inflow aerodynamics. The present combination procedure includes rotor/fuselage aerodynamics and trim analysis. The rotor aerodynamics is based on dynamic inflow aerodynamics, which is appropriate for the analysis of multirotor UAVs. The present simulation uses an appropriate formulation for fuselage aerodynamics. Trim analysis was conducted for climb and forward flight to determine the physical constraints of the UAV. Based on this procedure, a simulation was performed and validated against the flight test. It was found that the accuracy of flight simulation increased if the simulation is performed in combination with dynamic inflow aerodynamics. Using this methodology, the dynamic characteristics that affect the performance of UAVs were investigated.
Varied foci of primary benign schwannoma of the thorax: a case series
Authors: Malik Archana , Rajaram Manju , Vemuri Mahesh Babu , Mohapatra Madhusmita Mohanty , BH Srinivas , V Naren Chandra
Published: July 2021

Schwannomas are the most common tumor of peripheral nerves. It comprises 1 to 2% of total thoracic tumor. Posterior mediastinum is the most common site in thorax. Hereby we are reporting two cases of schwannoma with different sites of origin. The classical presentation of schwannoma is an asymptomatic mass found on chest radiograph. This tumor is usually benign and slow growing. Imaging followed by histopathological examination is key to the diagnosis of this neoplasm. Resection of tumor cures the disease.
A young lady with dyspnoea: Quest for the cause
Authors: Patro Mahismita , Gothi Dipti , Vaidya Sameer
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common cause of dyspnoea. The management and prognosis of PH varies with the underlying aetiology. Hence the detection of the cause of PH is important. Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is a common but under-recognised cause of PH. OB is usually secondary to childhood infections known as post-infectious OB. It can also be secondary to other diseases, but cryptogenic OB is an extremely rare entity. Here we share a unique case of PH due to cryptogenic OB and its successful outcome with optimal management.
A single-center comparative study of lung ultrasound versus chest computed tomography during the COVID-19 era
Authors: Zhanna Davidovna Kobalava , Fuad Safarova Ayten , Cabello Montoya Flora Elisa , Vatsik-Gorodetskaya Maria Vasilevna , Yulia Leonidovna Karaulova , Olga Tairovna Zorya , Olga Valeryevna Arutina , Rajan Rajesh , Al Jarallah Mohammed , Brady Peter A. , Al-Zakwani Ibrahim
Published: July 2021

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a bedside imaging tool that has proven useful in identifying and assessing the severity of pulmonary pathology. The aim of this study was to determine LUS patterns, their clinical significance, and how they compare to CT findings in hospitalized patients with coronavirus infection.Methods: This observational study included 62 patients (33 men, age 59.3±15.9 years), hospitalized with pneumonia due to COVID-19, who underwent chest CT and bedside LUS on the day of admission. The CT images were analyzed by chest radiographers who calculated a CT visual score based on the expansion and distribution of ground-glass opacities and consolidations. The LUS score was calculated according to the presence, distribution, and severity of anomalies.Results: All patients had CT findings suggestive of bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, with an average visual scoring of 8.1±2.9%. LUS identified 4 different abnormalities, with bilateral distribution (mean LUS score: 26.4±6.7), focal areas of non-confluent B lines, diffuse confluent B lines, small sub-pleural micro consolidations with pleural line irregularities, and large parenchymal consolidations with air bronchograms. LUS score was significantly correlated with CT visual scoring (rho = 0.70; p<0.001). Correlation analysis of the CT and LUS severity scores showed good interclass correlation (ICC) (ICC =0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52–0.83; p<0.001). Logistic regression was used to determine the cut-off value of ≥27 (area under the curve: 0.97; 95% CI: 90-99; sensitivity 88.5% and specificity 97%) of the LUS severity score that represented severe and critical pulmonary involvement on chest CT (CT: 3-4).Conclusion: When combined with clinical data, LUS can provide a potent diagnostic aid in patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia, reflecting CT findings.
Tylophora hirsuta L. leaf extract attenuates alloxan-induced diabetes in mice by suppressing oxidative stress and α-amylase
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Furqan , Shagufta Arsalan , Saleem Ammara , Baig Mirza Muhammad Faran Ashraf , Sharif Ali , Rasul Azhar , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M.
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the antidiabetic potential of leaf extracts of Tylophora hirsuta (T. hirsuta).

Methods:

The methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of T. hirsuta leaves were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by ferric ion reduction, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging methods. In vitro alpha amylase (α-amylase) inhibitory activity of the plant extracts was assessed. In vivo antidiabetic potential was determined in alloxan-induced diabetic mice to assess glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance, serum amylase, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and body weight. Histopathological lesions of the pancreas, liver and kidney were observed. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase were also determined.

Results:

Quercetin, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and m-coumaric acid were found in the plant extracts. The methanolic plant extract exhibited higher in vitro antioxidant activities than the ethyl acetate extract. Moreover, methanolic plant extract exhibited (83.90±1.56)% α-amylase inhibitory activity at 3.2 mg/ mL concentration. Animal study showed that the methanolic extract of T. hirsuta improved the levels of fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum α-amylase, lipid profile, liver function biomarkers, and kidney functions of diabetic mice. Moreover, the methanolic extract ameliorated diabetes-related oxidative stress by increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and decreasing peroxidase and malondialdehyde levels. Histopathological examination showed that the plant extract had improved the integrity of pancreatic islets of Langerhans and reduced the pathological lesions in the liver and kidney of diabetic mice.

Conclusions:

The methanolic extract of T. hirsuta exhibits pronounced antidiabetic activity in mice through reduction of oxidative stress. The plant extract has several natural antioxidants such as phenolic acids. T. hirsuta extract could serve as a nutraceutical for managing diabetes mellitus.
Improved performance of naringenin herbosomes over naringenin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Joshi Ruthvika , Laddha Ankit P. , Kulkarni Yogesh A. , Wairkar Sarika
Published: July 2021

Objective:

To prepare naringenin herbosome and evaluate its antidiabetic activity.

Methods:

Herbosomes were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. In vitro parameters like particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were estimated and in vitro diffusion study was performed. The in vivo studies were also performed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats to evaluate blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin level, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels.

Results:

The optimized herbosome batch showed a particle size of 564.4 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.412, and zeta potential of -39.3 mV. The percentage entrapment of this formulation was 84.04%, with complete drug release within 8 h. Treatment of diabetic rats with naringenin herbosomes for 28 d significantly reduced the elevated level of plasma glucose as compared to plain naringenin. In biochemical parameters, the treatment showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood urea nitrogen; while elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were returned to normal. Pure naringenin and herbosome formulation at high dose increased the total protein whereas albumin level significantly increased in naringenin herbosomes at the highest dose but not in the pure naringenin treatment group.

Conclusions:

Naringenin herbosomes could improve the metabolic profile of diabetic rats, indicating enhanced antidiabetic activity of herbosome formulation.
Lipid Profile in Infant
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Pandit Kaushik , Chatterjee Purushottam , Mukhopadhyay Pradip , Ghosh Sujoy
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

Alteration in lipid parameters at birth has a strong association with the development of cardiovascular disease in later life.

Material and Methods:

Sixty-one infants below the age of 6 months underwent evaluation of lipid parameters. The infants studied were categorized into two groups of ≤4 and >4 weeks of age, wherein their lipid parameters were compared.

Results:

The normal distribution of lipid parameters of infants <6 months was generated. The mean total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol was 126.2 ± 26.5, 149.1 ± 48.6, 40.7 ± 14.6, and 69.4 ± 19.4 mg/dl, respectively. The total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol measured in ≤4 and >4 weeks of age groups were statistically not different (total cholesterol 125.0 ± 30.1 mg/dl vs 127.4 ± 23.4 mg/dl, P = 0.727, and LDL-cholesterol 66.0 ± 19.2 mg/dl vs 75.4 ± 21.2 mg/dl, P = 0.780). However, the HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides measured at ≤4 weeks versus >4 weeks age groups were statistically different (HDL-cholesterol 44.9 ± 17.2 mg/dl vs 36.9 ± 10.8 mg/dl, P = 0.031, and triglyceride 147.4 ± 60.2 mg/dl vs 186.5 ± 75.7 mg/dl, P = 0.030).

Conclusion:

The mean lipid parameters were significantly more atherogenic compared to the Western population. Triglyceride levels and HDL-cholesterol levels change significantly after 4 weeks of age compared to that observed before 4 weeks of age.
Severe Colitis Induced by Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Advanced Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Sing-Ting , Lien Ming-Yu
Published: July 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that target downregulators of anticancer immune responses: cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) can affect multiple organs of the body. Distinct toxicity induced by different ICIs had been observed. Immune-mediated colitis (IMC) is a common irAE and more frequently encountered in anti-CTLA-4 than anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1. Owing to a wide range and inconclusive endoscopic and histological findings, the diagnosis of IMC can be made after excluding other possible causes and relies primarily on clinical suspicion. Optimal management of IMC requires early recognition and timely treatment. Corticosteroids are recommended for Grade 2 or more severe colitis while holding the immunotherapy. A better response to corticosteroids has been observed in anti-PD-1-related IMC than in anti-CTLA-4. Herein, we report a case of severe colitis induced by pembrolizumab.
Serpentine Supravenous Hyperpigmentation Following Intravenous Docetaxel
Authors: Mondal Satarupa , Panigrahi Avik , Bhanja Dibyendu Bikash , Chakraborty Sayantani , Sil Abheek
Published: July 2021

Serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation is a rare, cutaneous sequela of intravenous chemotherapeutic agents, collagen vascular diseases (systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis), and infections like leprosy and HIV. The condition manifests clinically as a peculiar, patterned eruption characterized by hyperpigmented streaks following the superficial venous network on the skin. Here, we report a case of a middle-aged lady with breast carcinoma, who developed serpentine supravenous hyperpigmentation after intravenous docetaxel.
A cross-sectional observational study of clinicodermatoscopic features in cutaneous lichen planus in Indian skin
Authors: Tatawati Ashiwini S. , Doshi Bhavana R. , Manjunathswamy Basavapurada Swamy
Published: July 2021

Background:

Lichen planus (LP) is a papulosquamous skin disorder characterized by violaceous polygonal papules and plaques associated with itching. Dermoscopy in LP shows variable forms of whitish structures that correlate with Wickham striae (WS), vascular structures, and pigmentary changes that aid in its diagnosis.

Aim:

To study the correlation between clinical and dermatoscopic features in cutaneous variants of LP in Indian skin.

Method:

Patients with LP presenting over a period of 1 year were included. Dermoscopy of the lesions in polarized mode was done using video dermatoscope − Dino-Lite Premier AM4113ZT model. Both clinical and dermoscopy findings were photographed, recorded, and studied.

Result:

Fifty-six percent patients (39/70) had classical LP (CLP), 14% patients (10/70) had hypertrophic LP which were the most common clinical variants. Reticulate pattern of WS was the most common pattern observed in 40% (28/70) cases and a new rosette pattern of WS was observed in 13% (9/70) cases. Nonvascular findings such as WS, comedo-like openings, and grey blue dots showed statistically significant association with CLP. Among the pigmentary findings, pepper-like pigmentation was seen in 64% (25/39) CLP and reticulate pattern of pigmentation in 85% (6/7) cases of LP pigmentosus. Perifollicular pigmentation showed statistical significance in 100% cases of lichen planopilaris.

Conclusion:

In view of consistent dermoscopic features observed in LP, it aids as a valuable noninvasive diagnostic tool, many a times obviating the need for skin biopsy.

Limitations:

Small sample size and the exclusion of lesions of LP over the nails, genitals, and oral mucosa.
Uncommon presentation of methotrexate-induced toxic erythema of chemotherapy
Authors: Sinha Preema , Sandhu Sunmeet , Kothari Rohit , Neema Shekhar
Published: July 2021

Toxic erythema of chemotherapy (TEC) is a term used to describe the presence of erythema with or without edema often affecting the hands and feet, intertriginous areas such as axillary and inguinal areas and less frequently elbows, knees, and postauricular areas. Sometimes the lesions can be petechial or with sterile blisters. They are generally self-limiting and resolve with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Here we describe one such rare case of Methotrexate-induced TEC involving uncommon sites like hairline, postauricular areas, and neck.
Nail changes associated with pigmentary disorders
Authors: Grover Chander , Bansal Shikha
Published: July 2021

Salient nail unit changes serve as pointers toward systemic disease. On similar lines, salient nail changes are associated with pigmentary disorders, and can help toward diagnosis. Nail changes form a part of various physiologic pigmentary changes including racial pigmentation, pregnancy, or neonatal period. At the same time, a number of nail changes can be valuable clues toward disorders of pigmentation associated with genetic syndromes (Laugier–Hunziker syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, and tuberous sclerosis), endocrine disorders, disorders of metabolism (alkaptonuria), infections (HIV-AIDS), internal malignancies, etc. Nail changes are especially useful if cutaneous pigmentary changes are suspected to be drug-induced based or associated mucosal and/or cutaneous hyperpigmentation. Various drugs that can cause cutaneous pigmentary alterations along with nail changes include cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, docetaxel, paclitaxel, carboplatin, psoralens, hydroxyurea, bleomycin, etc. Nail changes are also associated with disorders of hypomelanosis, for example, vitiligo. Pigmentary changes due to endogenous and exogenous pigments are again diagnosable based on the nail changes they induce. This narrative review highlights the importance of nail changes in suspecting and diagnosing various disorders of pigmentation. It also points toward areas which need future research.
On the guaranteed number of activations in $\mathsf{XS}$-circuits
Authors: Agievich Sergei Valer'evich
Published: July 2021

$\mathsf{XS}$-схемы описывают блочные шифры, построенные с помощью двух операций над двоичными словами фиксированной длины: поразрядное по модулю $2$ сложение ($\mathsf{X}$) и подстановка ($\mathsf{S}$). Двоичные слова интерпретируются как элементы поля характеристики $2$. В работе рассматриваются $\mathsf{XS}$-схемы, составленные из нескольких экземпляров простых тактовых (цикловых) схем, каждая из которых содержит только одну операцию $\mathsf{S}$. Составная схема называется каскадом. $\mathsf{S}$-операции каскада интерпретируются как независимые тактовые оракулы. При обработке каскадом двух различных входов некоторые тактовые оракулы получат разные запросы, эти оракулы будут считаться активированными. Чем больше активаций, тем большие гарантии защиты относительно разностного криптоанализа обеспечивает каскад. Вводится в рассмотрение гарантированное число активаций - их минимум по всем вариантам выбора базового поля, тактовых оракулов и входов каскада. Показано, что гарантированное число активаций связано с минимальным расстоянием линейного кода, ассоциированного с каскадом. Это число также связано с минимальным количеством единиц на отрезках двоичной линейной рекуррентной последовательности, характеристический многочлен которой определяется тактовой схемой. Предложен алгоритм вычисления гарантированного числа активаций и показано, как использовать алгоритм для работы с линейными активациями, возникающими в линейном криптоанализе.
On methods of shortening ElGamal-type signatures
Authors: Akhmetzyanova L R , Alekseev Evgeny Konstantinovich , Babueva Aleksandra Alekseevna , Smyshlyaev Stanislav Vitalevich
Published: July 2021

Разработка схем подписи, порождающих подписи малого размера, - актуальная и нетривиальная криптографическая задача. Наиболее перспективными сейчас являются многомерные схемы и схемы на основе спариваний Вейля. Но криптографические механизмы, используемые в этих схемах, пока не поддерживаются большей частью криптографического программного обеспечения, что затрудняет их использование на практике. В настоящей работе предложены три способа укорачивания подписи для стандартных схем типа Эль-Гамаля и проанализировано их влияние на стойкость. Применение всех трех способов к схеме подписи ГОСТ с порядком подгруппы группы точек эллиптической кривой $q\in(2^{255},2^{256})$ позволяет уменьшить размер подписи с $512$ до $320$ бит, сохраняя достаточный уровень стойкости и приемлемое (для неинтерактивных протоколов) время генерации и проверки подписи.
IND-CCA2 secure McEliece-type modification in the standard model
Authors: Kosolapov Yurii Vladimirovich , Turchenko Oleg Yur'evich
Published: July 2021

Основной целью настоящей работы является построение криптосистемы типа Мак-Элиса, обладающей IND-CCA2 свойством в стандартной модели и высокой скоростью передачи данных. Предложенная модификация основана на применении метода $s$-повторений и использовании одной общей секретной перестановки. В этой модификации передаются $s$ шифрблоков для $s/2$ информационных сообщений, что делает ее более эффективной, чем большинство других модификаций, основанных на методе $s$-повторений. В работе также приводятся другие криптосистемы, обладающие семантической стойкостью.
Estrategias complejas en la resolución de problemas matemáticos contextualizados
Authors: Rodríguez Milagros Elena
Published: July 2021

El objetivo complejo de investigación es desmitificar las falsas herencias de la resolución de problemas en Matemáticas que han dado muchos problemas, e ir a estrategias complejas, bajo la luz de la teoría de la complejidad en la palabra de Dios que alumbra. De esta manera, el pensamiento complejo y el razonamiento lógico matemático se integran para la resolución de problemas contextualizados. Se realiza la indagación con el transmétodo la deconstrucción rizomática transcompleja, se ubica en la línea de investigación titulada: Educación Matemática Decolonial Transcompleja. Indagación realizada en el marco del Postdoctorado en Educación Matemática: Pensamiento, Religaje y Construcción de Emergentes Formativos en la Transmodernidad, Universidad Nacional Experimental de Yaracuy, Venezuela. Luego de una deconstrucción de la resolución de problemas como metodología de enseñanza, se dan características de las estrategias complejas en cuanto a: “sistema, circularidad, dialógica, causalidad compleja, interacciones, círculos polirrelacionales y religación (MORÍN, CIURANA y MOTTA, 2002).
SAFETY PRACTICES OF CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Mopho Ilodeami M. , Achalu E. I. , Ekenedo G. O.
Published: July 2021

This study investigated safety practices of construction companies in Rivers state. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The population of the study consisted 2276 workers from 10 construction companies in Rivers state. A sample of 455 construction workers was drawn using clustered sampling technique. Two research questions were answered and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The instrument for data collection was a structured and validated questionnaire. An instrument reliability index of 0.78 was obtained through PPMC technique. The data generated from the instrument were analyzed using descriptive statistics to answer the research questions and inferential statistics to test the null hypothesis. The results of the study showed that safety practices among construction companies in Rivers state is above average based on location and size of construction companies. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there is still enough room for improvement in safety practices of the construction industry in Rivers state. It was therefore recommended that efforts should be intensified by contracting construction firms in devising improved strategy to determine and forestall hazard inherent in a given project before embarking on it.

 Article visualizations:
INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES ON FIRE SAFETY HAZARDS EXPOSURE AND ADHERENCE TO CONTROL MEASURES AMONG WORKERS OF PETROL FILLING STATIONS IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
Authors: Amanze Hope Emeka , Achalu Ernest I.
Published: July 2021

The study investigated the influence of demographic variables on fire safety hazards exposure and control among workers of petrol filling stations in Port Harcourt metropolis. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Eight (8) hypotheses were used for the study. Research instrument was a self-structured questionnaire captioned Demographic Variables and Fire Hazards Exposure and Adherence to Control Measures among workers of Petrol filling stations in Port Harcourt Metropolis (DVFHECQ). The reliability of the instrument yielded 0.81. Descriptive statistics were used to answer the research questions while inferential statistics of Z-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The study showed a significant difference based on age, educational status and marital status of the respondents. However, there was no significant difference in exposure to fire safety hazards based on gender, Also, there was a significant difference on adherence to fire safety control measures based on age, educational status and marital status. It is therefore recommended that age, educational status and marital status should be considered as parameters in the employment of petrol filling station workers in Port Harcourt metropolis.

 Article visualizations:
Diminuição da exposição do cirurgião à radiação na cirurgia de ante-pé - posicionamento alternativo do doente e intensificador de imagem
Authors: Xará-Leite Francisco , Carrapatoso Manuel , Videira Sara , Barbosa Tiago , Rodrigues Cláudia , Gonçalves Isabel , Costa Luís
Published: July 2021

A exposição à radiação ionizante acarreta riscos para a saúde das equipas médicas. Este aspeto é particularmente relevante na cirurgia minimamente invasiva do pé devido ao posicionamento do doente e do cirurgião relativamente à fonte de radiação X. Durante o posicionamento “clássico” do doente, o C-arm e a equipa desconsideram alguns dos mais elementares princípios de segurança, particularmente nos centros com acesso mais limitado a aparelhos que utilizem baixas doses de radiação. A nossa técnica de posicionamento do doente permite uma redução da dispersão da radiação para o cirurgião e equipa médica, e os princípios de redução de exposição à radiação citados devem ser ponderados por todos aqueles que executam este tipo de técnicas na sua prática clínica regular.
Avaliação da Caracterização de Lesões em Mamografia com Recurso a Sistemas CAD
Authors: Perre Ana C. , Freire Luís C.
Published: July 2021

Os sistemas CAD auxiliam a deteção e diferenciação de lesões benignas e malignas, aumentando a performance no diagnóstico do cancro da mama. Uma vez que as lesões da mama estão fortemente correlacionadas com a forma e contorno, neste estudo, foram aplicados dois métodos diferentes para classificação de lesões em imagens de mamografia. O primeiro consiste em medidas quantitativas baseadas na dimensão fractal, calculadas através da aplicação do método “box-counting”, diretamente em imagens de lesões segmentadas antes e após a aplicação de um algoritmo de dilatação/erosão. O segundo método baseou-se na aplicação de Redes Neuronais de Convolução (CNN), as quais têm demonstrado um elevado grau de sucesso, na deteção e classificação de patologias em diferentes modalidades de imagem médica, incluindo a mamografia. De forma a ultrapassar a limitação do reduzido número de amostras disponíveis nas bases de dados de mamografia, foi aplicado o método de “transfer learning”, no qual três modelos CNN pré-treinados num grande conjunto de dados foram ajustados de forma a permitir a classificação de lesões em imagens de mamografia antes e após a aplicação de um processo de normalização. Também foi avaliada a performance de uma SVM com a utilização de características extraídas das CNN isoladamente ou combinadas com “handcrafted features”. Os resultados obtidos são encorajadores e demonstram que tanto o uso da medida de dimensão fractal como das CNN pode ajudar a melhorar o diagnóstico automático de lesões em mamografia, o que se traduziu em valores de AUC até 81,3%.
Colonic and type IV jejunal atresias with apple-peel bowel segment as the content of right inguinal hernia: A case report
Authors: Makhija Deepa P , Kumar Abhijit , Gupta Rahul K , Sanghvi Beejal V , Mudkhedkar Kedar P , Shah Rujuta S , Khobragade Manish P , Parelkar Sandesh V
Published: July 2021

Background: Colonic atresia is an uncommon entity. It may be associated with multiple anomalies.
Case Presentation: We present a case, which was initially suspected to be jejunal atresia, but was found to have colonic atresia as well intra-operatively. The associated jejunal atresia with apple-peel configuration was present as the content of inguinal hernia.
Conclusion: This case report highlights the rarity of the condition and the postoperative issues in the management of such patients.
Cleonice Assumpção Alakija: a trajetória de uma das primeiras médicas negras de Salvador (1910-2000)
Authors: Reis Santos Sivaldo
Published: July 2021

O presente artigo examina a trajetória de Cleonice Assumpção Alakija, uma das primeiras médicas negras de Salvador. Neste texto, o(a) leitor(a) terá a oportunidade de saber qual foi a importância que família da médica tivera para a sua formação acadêmica, a passagem dela pela Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia e algumas informações sobre a sua vida após a formatura. A questão central da narrativa foi relacionar a trajetória da médica com o contexto histórico em que ela viveu. Para a construção deste texto foram utilizados jornais, revistas e fotografias da Biblioteca Pública do Estado da Bahia e da Hemeroteca Digital Brasileira. Em destaque os jornais: A Tarde, Gazeta de Notícias, Correio da Manhã, O Imparcial e a Revista Bahia Ilustrada.
Producción de papel a partir del banano
Authors: Cabezas William , Freire Carlos , Davila Daniel , Morales Alexander , Hernandez Steven
Published: July 2021

El papel es uno de los elementos más utilizados en la sociedad moderna, a pesar de que su invención data de épocas remotas. El papel es utilizado para diferentes fines domésticos, laborales e industriales. Su fabricación se realiza a partir de pulpa celosa y fibras vegetales, que han tenido un importante impacto ambiental en los últimos años. En este trabajo se propone el análisis de la elaboración de papel a partir del uso de residuos de la planta de banano, lo que podría ofrecer una mejor utilización de los recursos naturales y un menor impacto a la naturaleza. Además, la fibra natural del banano es resistente y es de fácil obtención en países de Latinoamérica como Ecuador, quien presenta una elevada producción de este. Los resultados encontrados muestran que si es posible la elaboración de papel con fibra de residuos del banano y que es posible la comercialización y buen uso de los recursos.

Palabras Clave: Pseudotallo, papel, banano, economía circular.

Referencias

[1]A. Herrera, «Elaboración Del Papel Orgánico A Base De Pseudotallo De Banano, Cantón Santa Rosa, Provincia De El Oro, Ecuador,» Guayaquil, 2019.

[2]M. Dávalos y S. Zurita, «Implementación de fábrica de papel y derivados empleando residuos de banano como materia prima,» Guayaquil, 2004.

[3]O. Álvarez y E. Howard, «Desarrollo de aplicaciones culinarias para el aprovechamiento del pseudotallo de la planta de plátano (Musa x Paradisiaca),» Guayaquil, 2018.

[4]M. Mazzeo, L. León, F. Mejía, E. Guerrero y D. Botero, «Aprovechamiento industrial de residuos de cosecha y poscosecha del plátano en el departamento de Caldas,» Asociación Colombiana de Facultades de Ingeniería, nº 9, p. 12, 2010.

[5]S. Aguilar y O. Malagon, «Extracción de fibras no leñosas: cabuya (furcraea ANDINA trel.) Y banano (musa PARADISIACA l.) Para estandarizar un proceso tecnológico destinado a la elaboración de pulpa y papel,» Loja, 2016.

[6]A. Cortez, «Elaboración de papel a base de residuos de banano,» Guayaquil, 2014.

[7]V. Guirrajo, «Proyecto de Factibilidad para la creación de una empresa dedicada a la elaboración de papel a base del pinzote de banano, ubicado en el sector Rumicucho, parroquia San Antonio de Pichincha, Cantón Quito. Provincia de Pichincha.,» Quito, 2010.
CASE STUDY OF THE ORIGIN AND THE EVOLUTION OF ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS REGARDING TO THE HARMONIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) IN JORDAN AND ROMANIA
Authors: Alhato Omar , Botos Alexandra
Published: July 2021

It is valuable to take note that the majority of financial reporting pundits are in agreement that the financial reporting system of a country depends on several factors that include the legal, economic, and cultural background; The development of tasks performed by accounting is persistently inspired by needs of practice. It is clear of that accounting schemes play an essential role in the market economy, particularly in face of globalization of capital markets, where increasing need for comparable, transparent financial statements for the companies. Rather, it is proposed to present information that is used in making reasoned options amongst alternative uses of limited resources in the conduct of business and economic activities. The present paper discusses the possibilities to improve the accounting policies and procedures in Jordan and other Middle East countries in accordance with commitment of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Throughout this study we used a qualitative approach, to outline an overview of the history of financial reporting and its evolution from the origin, to the growth and development of accounting systems by studying a considerable amount of bibliographic material, using different textbooks and journals on accounting theories but also public information presented by the accounting organisations and the government of the two analysed countries. Furthermore, the paper reviewed the achievements made in the convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), in the Middle East countries, in Jordanian context and in the European Union, specifically the case of Romania. International financial reporting standard (IFRS) implementation in Jordan has departed through several transitional phases wile in our previous work we noticed that Romania can be considered a benchmark of high degree convergence to IFRS.
TRADISI MENJAGA KESUCIAN PAKAIAN SHALAT: ETOS KEAGAMAAN DALAM KULTUR LIVING HADIS
Authors: Awwaliyah Neny Muthiatul
Published: July 2021

This study examines the Tradition of Maintaining the Sanctity of Prayer Clothing This type of research is field research that uses a descriptive method of analysis, namely presenting data in accordance with the results of research obtained from research subjects in the field. Information and data obtained by jumping directly into the field in accordance with the subject of this research. its working instruments combine literature studies and field studies. This research also wants to see the Hadith that lives and responded by the popular community with the term Living Hadith. The reviewer did it to several students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The main focus of research is on the tradition of students in maintaining the sanctity of prayer clothes. This research involves sociological studies by borrowing Peter L. Berger's theory of social construction, namely internalization, externalization and objectivation.
Seeds of Decolonial Practice: An Autoethnographic Study of Settlers Working in Indigenous Communities
Authors: Fullerton Meaghan E.
Published: July 2021

This autoethnographic study explores the process of cultivating a culturally safe and critically reflexive counselling practice in Indigenous contexts, an orientation that is imperative for settlers to work ethically with Indigenous clients, families, and communities. Any other approach risks recreating experiences of colonial violence in subtle or overt ways and eroding the therapeutic relationship. Research data generation included reflexive writing and interactive interviews with one female counselling therapists (aged 28) who, as a settler, has worked in multiple Indigenous communities. The analysis involved triangulation and using critical reflection and an understanding of cultural safety to interpret and learn from the data. Becoming unsettled is an emotionally evocative experience, but reflecting critically on discomforting emotions, reactions, and experiences is an essential component of personal transformation. Settlers cannot engage theoretically in decolonizing but rather must experience it first as individuals and then as ethically responsible citizens willing to challenge dominant cultural narratives and to help foster a more just society.
Possible Selves in Emerging Adulthood: A Comparison of Two Group Interventions
Authors: Giannone Zarina A. , Cox Daniel W. , Kealy David
Published: July 2021

The present study provides a pilot examination of two types of possible selves group interventions. The study evaluates emerging adults’ satisfaction with and outcome following participation in groups that were oriented on interpersonal-experiential and didactic-task interventions and that focused on possible selves. Analyses used data from 85 emerging adults who were randomly assigned to one of these intervention types and who completed pre- and post-intervention assessments. Overall, participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with both types of group intervention. Results indicate that significant improvement in personal growth initiative was achieved across both interventions, but only the interpersonal-experiential intervention was associated with an increase in participants’ efficacy to pursue relational possible selves. Change in hope across both interventions was not statistically significant, and participants did not improve in their efficacy to pursue vocational possible selves. Follow-up analysis found that group engagement was associated with improvement in participants’ efficacy to pursue relational possible selves through interpersonal-experiential intervention. While both interventions appear to be beneficial, interpersonal-experiential groups may be particularly useful in fostering emerging adults’ sense of future relational selves.
Equine Programs for Military Veterans and RCMP Officers with Occupational Stress Injuries: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Buchanan Marla J. , Haney Colleen , Grimes Katie N.
Published: July 2021

Alternative approaches to mental health and support programming for military veterans and for officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with occupational stress injuries have recently received attention in the field of post-traumatic stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experiences of military veterans and actively serving RCMP officers with occupational stress injuries who participated in an exploratory study using an equine-assisted learning program. Using a focus group research design, 20 veterans and five RCMP officers were interviewed about their experiences in a 4-week equine-assisted learning program. A thematic content analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method, revealed five main themes: (1) appreciation for the value of learning new skills, (2) connection with the horse in terms of the human–animal bond, (3) self-regulation and learning to “speak horse,” (4) sense of accomplishment and competence, and (5) transferable skills to everyday life. The qualitative findings of this study provide support for the use of equine-assisted learning programming with military veterans and RCMP members and demonstrate potential as an alternative therapeutic intervention for occupational stress injuries in these populations.
The Boggart
Authors: Young Simon
Published: July 2021

The boggart was a much-feared, little-studied supernatural being from the north of England. Against the odds, it survives today, whether in place-names or in works of fantasy literature – not least Harry Potter. Centring on this mercurial and mysterious figure, The Boggart pioneers two methods for collecting folklore: first, the use of hundreds of thousands of words on the boggart from digitised ephemera; second, about 1,100 contemporary boggart memories that derive from social media surveys and personal interviews relating to the interwar and postwar years. Through a radical combination of this new information and an interdisciplinary approach – involving dialectology, folklore, Victorian history, supernatural history, oral history, place-name studies, sociology and more – it is possible to reconstruct boggart beliefs, experiences and tales. The boggart was not, as we have been led to believe, a ‘goblin’. Rather, this was a much more general term encompassing all solitary, and often ambivalent, supernatural beings, from killer mermaids to headless phantoms to shape-changing ghouls. In the same period that boggart beliefs were dying, folklorists continuously misrepresented the boggart and how the modern fantasy version was born of these misunderstandings. As well as offering a fresh reading of a deep seam of folklore, this book showcases some of the ways in which harnessing recent advances in digitization can offer rich and compelling rewards.
Contact and Non-contact Heart Beat Rate Measurement Techniques: Challenges and Issues
Authors: Khong Wei Leong , Mariappan Muralindran , Chong Chee Siang
Published: July 2021

The heart is the most important organ in the human body as it circulates the blood throughout the body through blood vessels. In the human circulatory system, the heart beats according to the body’s physical needs. Therefore, the physical condition of a person can be determined by observing the heartbeat rate (HBR). There are plenty of methods that can be used to measure the HBR. Among the methods, photoplethysmography (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and the oscillometric method are the standard methods utilised in medical institutes for continuous measurement of the HBR of a patient. Out of these three methods, PPG is the only method which has evolved to a non-contact imaging-based method from the conventional contact sensory based method. The incentive for developing the non-contact-based imaging PPG method in measuring the HBR provides the advantage of excluding the direct contact of sensors on specific body parts. This brings huge improvements to remote monitoring of healthcare especially for the purpose of social distancing. Moreover, the rapid progression of technology (particularly the interactive electronic gadgets advancement) also motivates researchers and engineers to create a mobile application using the PPG imaging method, which is feasible in measuring the HBR. Hence, this study seeks to review and present the fundamental concept, the present research and the evolution of the aforementioned methods in measuring the HBR.
Application of Cubature Information Filter for Underwater Target Path Estimation
Authors: Divya Guduru Naga , Rao Sanagapallea Koteswara
Published: July 2021

Bearings-only tracking plays a pivotal role in passive underwater surveillance. Using noisy sonar bearing measurements, the target motion parameters (TMP) are extensively estimated using the extended Kalman filter (EKF) because of its simplicity and low computational load. The EKF utilizes the first order approximation of the nonlinear system in estimation of the TMP that degrades the accuracy of estimation due to the elimination of the higher order terms. In this paper, the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) that captures the system nonlinearity upto third order is proposed to estimate the TMP. The CKF is further extended using the information filter (IF) to provide decentralized data fusion, hence the filter is termed as cubature information filter (CIF). The results are generated using Matlab with Gaussian assumption of noise in measurements. Monte-Carlo simulation is done and the results demonstrate that the CIF accuracy is same as that of UKF and this indicates the usefulness of the algorithm for state estimation in underwater with the required accuracy.