bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Spiking Neural Networks and Their Applications
Authors: Singhal Tarun , Rani Ishta , Singh Divya , Kumar Bikram , Bhatia Vinay , Gupta Shubhi
Published: November 2024

These days, there is increasing curiosity regarding the topic of spiking neural networks (SNNs). Compared to artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are the subsequent equivalents, they bear a greater resemblance to the real neural networks found in the brain. SNNs are based on events such as neuromorphic factors; hardware based on SNNs may be less energy-intensive than ANNs. Since the energy usage would be far lower than that of typical deep learning models housed in the cloud today, this could result in a significant reduction in maintenance costs for neural network models. Such gear is still not readily accessible, however. This chapter presents a Systematic Review of Spiking Neural Networks and Their Applications. This study examines the benefits and drawbacks of various neural model types, coding techniques, methods for learning, and Neuromorphic platforms for computing. Based on these analyses, some anticipated developments are suggested, including balancing biological imitation and computing costs for neuron theories, the process of compounding coding techniques, unsupervised algorithms for learning in SNN, and digital-analog computation systems.
Leveraging Neuromorphic Computing for Human Action Detection With Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Choudhary Shilpa , Gowroju Swathi , Kumar Sandeep , Srinivas K.
Published: November 2024

NMC(Neuro Morphic Computing) simulates and mimics the process of human brain operations using artificial neurons. The creation of human actions can be used to test and improve neuromorphic models, which are simulations of complex behaviours and interactions found in biological creatures. It can be contributed to the development of decision making capabilities in robots over time. The proposed system hence aims to use various deep learning models that train on UCF101 dataset to predict the set of actions or actions from given video clip. The proposed work aims to construct deep learning model, trained on large-scale datasets like UCF101, to efficiently learn and represent complex patterns and characteristics in human behaviors. Through the use of these models in the framework of neuromorphic computing, scientists can enhance the potential of artificial neural networks to more precisely describe and comprehend human behavior.
Artificial Intelligence and Destination Branding
Authors: Al Balushi Maha Khamis , Soliman Mohammad , Al Hosni Mohammed S. , Al Mamari Amal
Published: November 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a significant focus of research and practical applications within the tourism industry. Tourism researchers and practitioners have recently changed their methods by incorporating AI tools, resulting in new approaches to generate and use insights. These AI-driven developments hold great potential for enhancing destination branding. The current chapter aims to showcase the main benefits of using AI in destination branding, examine how AI helps create and implement effective branding strategies, identify the key challenges and complexities of integrating AI tools for this purpose, and highlight the crucial ethical considerations that need to be addressed when using AI in destination branding. This chapter presents several theoretical implications and helpful practical recommendations for using AI in destination branding.
Leveraging Market Research to Enhance Destination Branding in Chiang Mai
Authors: Fagbolu Olukemi Adedokun
Published: November 2024

This chapter explores how a specific tourism destination can employ market research to develop a logo and slogan to gain a competitive advantage in the international and domestic tourism market through product differentiation, market segmentation, target marketing and branding strategies. It highlights possible strategies for destination brands to develop their marketing strategies and competitiveness. The study gathers historical data from existing literature about the selected destination for the study. Additionally, it observes the destination features and employs developed questions to interview the selected destination using a cluster sampling method to gather customer data. The study also makes recommendations for the destination for possible destination brand sustainability.
Bridging Corporate Governance and Sustainability Insights From a Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Singh Harsh Pratap , Patel Mitesh , Kumar Pushpender
Published: November 2024

In today's business, corporate governance and sustainability have emerged as essential areas of focus for both scholars and practitioners. This chapter delves into the intersection of these two crucial domains through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, aiming to map the current research landscape, identify influential studies, and pinpoint existing research gaps. The study highlights a growing trend among businesses to integrate sustainability into their corporate governance structures. This integration is driven by the need to enhance corporate legitimacy, align with societal and regulatory expectations, and attract investors who increasingly factor sustainability into their decision-making processes. The analysis identifies key themes within the literature, such as the convergence of corporate governance and sustainability reporting; the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures on financial performance; the influence of board composition on sustainability outcomes; and the application of stakeholder theory in sustainability reporting.
Governance Role of Digital Technologies and Backshoring
Authors: Boko Kossi Hyacinthe , Mirzaye Sina , Mohiuddin Muhammad , Ed-Dafali Slimane
Published: November 2024

Over the past decade, international business researchers have increasingly focused on the role of digital technologies and their potential effects on the configuration of global value chains (GVCs). This chapter explores the governance role of digital technologies in firm relocation decisions by conducting a systematic literature review of 37 articles published between 2011 and May 2024. The findings reveal that existing studies tend to examine the relationship between only a few specific digital technologies and reshoring, highlighting a gap in comprehensive research on the subject. While some studies identify correlations between digitalization and reshoring, others attribute reshoring decisions to factors unrelated to digitalization. However, these factors are also influenced by digitalization, which permeates nearly every aspect of business operations, often leading to indirect impacts on reshoring. There is a clear need for further research employing mathematical models that analyze binary relationships by grouping various digital technologies and reshoring outcomes into distinct sets. Such an approach would integrate existing literature with empirical studies to better map these relationships. Meanwhile, managers should recognize digitalization as a critical factor to consider in reshoring decisions, even if its influence may not always be immediately apparent.
What's in a Name?
Authors: Kobiyh Miloudi , Ed-Dafali Slimane
Published: November 2024

The development of financial mechanisms and markets in recent years has been driven by efforts to reduce emissions and protect environmental quality. Key stakeholders, including lenders, environmentally focused project promoters, and investors using non-financial criteria, have played a role in this shift. Environmental finance has emerged from this evolution, shaped by innovations and regulations, and now holds a central place in modern finance. This chapter examines how environmental finance reintegrates into the financial landscape, fostering market growth and new financial products. It highlights how policies and regulations can drive clean industry innovation, enhance investor awareness, and guide decision-makers toward climate-friendly investments.
The Effect of Green Governance in Promoting Sustainable Performance
Authors: AllafJafari Elnaz , Asayesh Farzad , Hosseini Elahe
Published: November 2024

Green governance is an emerging concept that has attracted the attention of academics and industry over the last decade. However, there is limited evidence on how it affects the sustainable performance of SMEs. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the role of green governance on sustainable performance through the mediation of corporate social responsibility. It also intends to investigate the effect of green governance on sustainable performance through the mediation of green innovation. The current study employs a purpose-driven approach and a descriptive-correlation methodology. The statistical population of this research consists of employees and managers of small and medium-sized businesses in Iran. Despite the uncertainty, Cochran's formula enabled the selection of 365 individuals as the available sample. A questionnaire containing 18 closed questions was used to collect data. The results indicate that effective green governance can help formulate and implement social responsibility strategies. These strategies can have an influence on improving the sustainable performance of active companies and allow them to achieve economic, social, and environmental goals. Furthermore, green governance, a management model that prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable development through the use of green innovation, significantly enhances the sustainable performance of businesses. Finally, green governance as a model of management that pays attention to the preservation of the environment and sustainable development, has a significant influence on improving the sustainable performance of businesses by using green innovation.
Impact of Share Pledging on Dividend Payouts and Governance Dynamics
Authors: Narayanan Aaishwarya , Sinha Nivedita
Published: November 2024

This chapter explores the relationship between insider share pledging and firms' dividend payout decisions. The dataset comprises of firms listed on NSE in India from 2013 to 2021. The authors employ multivariate regression analysis to test this relationship, and findings reveal that a 1% increase in share pledging (% of promoter's pledged shares to their holdings) correlates with a 0.87% increase in dividend payout. Similarly, a 1% increase in share pledging (% of the promoter's pledged shares to total outstanding shares of the firm) results in a substantial rise of 2.61% in dividend payout. The authors conduct PSM as a robustness check to validate the results. These results indicate that dividend payments serve as a credible mechanism to mitigate the adverse effects of pledging. This relationship is stronger in firms with better internal and external governance. Dividend payouts tend to increase with share pledging for firms with a higher percentage of independent directors and institutional shareholding. This study provides valuable insights for investors and policymakers.
Corporate Governance and Firm Performance
Authors: S. C. Vetrivel , Vidhyapriya P. , V. P. Arun
Published: November 2024

This chapter explores the intricate relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance through a detailed study. By examining data from a diverse set of industries and geographic regions, it provides insights into how specific governance structures—such as board composition, ownership concentration, executive compensation, and shareholder rights—affect financial outcomes and operational efficiency. The chapter highlights the importance of board independence, demonstrating that firms with a higher proportion of independent directors tend to exhibit better financial performance and greater transparency. Ownership concentration is analyzed to understand its dual role in mitigating agency problems while potentially leading to entrenchment issues. It delves into the complexities of executive compensation, finding that performance-linked pay can align management interests with those of shareholders, thereby enhancing firm value.
Orchestrating Collective Intelligence
Authors: Kubus Renata , Domínguez Ignacio López , de Santos Inés Martín
Published: November 2024

This chapter explores in a structured way different aspects of collective intelligence, such as collectives, systems, and infrastructures, as well as their orchestration. It aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge and provide a practical and actionable conceptual framework. The benefits of this study extend beyond academia to organizations and policymakers with the potential to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and address complex challenges in various domains. Globalization and technological change, increasing interdependencies, and optimizing some variables, such as resource extraction or consumption, have diminished the resilience of the global (eco)system. In the long run, the system is only as strong as its weakest element. Thanks to collective intelligence, these shocks could allow us to resize the global vision of solidarity and boost true resilience and sustainability.
Dynamic Capabilities Through Resilience and Ambidexterity
Authors: Bravo Juan Ramón , Gutiérrez José Sánchez , Omil José Cabanelas
Published: November 2024

Changes in the environment and the speed with which many companies adapt to them lead to exploring the adaptation process. In other words, the authors question the development of dynamic capabilities and how it is linked to resilience and organizational ambidexterity. Companies that effectively address these challenges will be better positioned to thrive in the environment. This chapter attempts a detailed analysis of the interactions between dynamic capabilities, resilience, and ambidexterity.
Adaptive Capacity in the Tourism System
Authors: Valdez Pilar Morales , González Alvarado Tania Elena , Salazar Orly Manjarrez
Published: November 2024

This chapter analyzes the role of adaptive capacity in the tourism system, specifically examining the interplay between resilience and collective intelligence. It argues that understanding how businesses adapt to unpredictable environments requires a systemic approach that considers the interconnectedness of individual companies within their broader economic and social contexts. The chapter explores the concept of business resilience as a crucial factor in navigating change and uncertainty, proposing that it stems from the collective intelligence of an organization's members. By analyzing examples of collective intelligence in nature and human societies, the chapter highlights its importance for survival, self-organization, and creative problem-solving within the tourism industry. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for further research on the specific mechanisms through which collective intelligence enhances adaptive capacity in tourism destinations.
Building Resilient Companies Through Internal Marketing
Authors: González Alvarado Tania Elena , García Francia Contreras , Cabanelas Pablo
Published: November 2024

This chapter describes the relationship between talent attraction, internal communication, and empowerment as crucial elements of company resilience. The transnational company under study operates globally and has business units in thirty countries. The chapter is divided into three sections: the first section explains internal marketing and its relation to business resilience; the second section describes the actions that the transnational company carried out from 2020 to 2021; the third part presents the research results obtained by applying a questionnaire to the company's employees at two different times in order to derive conclusions on the elements that have contributed to business resilience.
Analysis of Blackhole Attack in RPL-Based 6LoWPAN Network Using Contiki-NG
Authors: Al-Na'amneh Qais , Dhifallah Walid , Almaiah Mohammed Amin , Al-Sheyab Asalla , Hazaymih Rahaf , Qadoumi Braa
Published: November 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most significant topics in computer science study in the modern world. A standardized, ideal protocol for routing on the Internet of Things is the routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks (RPL). Connectivity, ubiquity, and low processing capability are the characteristics of devices that make up an Internet of Things network. An increase in IoT-based cyberattack occurrences has resulted from these features and their explosive growth in recent years. This chapter is to establish a reference application for conducting Blackhole attacks on the RPL protocol and improve network security, as well as to demonstrate how to create and test these attacks using COOJA and Contiki-NG.
Evolving AI-Based Malware Detection
Authors: Subbarao Kondapalli Veera Venkat , Togaru Reshma , Yogi Manas Kumar
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the proliferation of sophisticated malware has necessitated the development of advanced detection methods. This study introduces an innovative hybrid approach that combines Transfer Learning (TL) and Explainable AI (XAI) for malware detection. By leveraging TL, the model utilizes pre-trained neural networks, enabling it to efficiently recognize and adapt to new and evolving threats with minimal training data. XAI techniques are integrated to ensure transparency, allowing cybersecurity experts to understand and trust the model's decisions. This dual strategy not only enhances detection accuracy but also addresses the critical need for explainability in AI-driven security solutions. The proposed method is evaluated against various datasets, demonstrating its efficacy in detecting both known and emerging malware, while providing clear insights into its decision-making process. This hybrid approach represents a significant advancement in the field of AI-based cybersecurity, balancing performance with interpretability to better combat the dynamic nature of cyber threats.
Explainable AI for Transparent Cyber-Risk Assessment and Decision-Making
Authors: Mohitkar Chhavi , Lakshmi D.
Published: November 2024

The research paper “Explainable AI for Transparent Cyber-Risk Assessment and Decision-Making” explores the integration of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of cyber-risk assessments. It highlights the necessity for AI systems to provide interpretable outputs, enabling stakeholders to understand the rationale behind risk evaluations and decisions. The study emphasizes that traditional models often lack transparency, leading to challenges in trust and accountability in cybersecurity contexts. By employing XAI techniques, the paper demonstrates improved decision-making processes, allowing organizations to better manage cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it addresses the limitations of existing frameworks, advocating for a more robust approach that combines technical rigor with user-centric design. Ultimately, the findings suggest that XAI not only enhances risk assessment accuracy but also fosters a culture of informed decision-making in cybersecurity.
Application of Information Theoretical Models for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Systems
Authors: Yogi Manas Kumar , Mundru Yamuna , Devi Atti Manga
Published: November 2024

The integration of AI-driven models into cybersecurity has significantly advanced threat detection and mitigation. This study enhances AI system performance using information theoretical models by incorporating entropy and mutual information to improve accuracy and robustness in identifying complex threats. Entropy measures data uncertainty, while mutual information quantifies information exchange between variables, refining AI detection capabilities. We compare Logistic Regression and Random Forest classifiers using precision, recall, accuracy, and F1 score metrics. Results show that models using information theoretical features perform better, reducing false positives and identifying more true threats. This is crucial in preventing alert fatigue and ensuring reliable cybersecurity. Advanced feature integration makes AI models more adept at recognizing patterns and anomalies, enhancing threat detection, especially against complex and subtle threats. Ultimately, this research works will propel the future cyber security designers with holistic perspectives.
Anomaly Detection Algorithms in Cybersecurity
Authors: Manavadaria Manthan S. , Srinivas T. Aditya Sai , Ahamed Shaik Khaleel , Amshavalli M. , Nadaf Akabarsaheb Babulal , Bhoopathy V.
Published: November 2024

In Anomaly Detection Algorithms in Cybersecurity, this chapter go over the fundamentals of the algorithms and techniques used to spot cyber threats. These methods include statistical, machine learning, deep learning, and clustering. In order to find statistical outliers, traditional anomaly detection employs Gaussian Mixture Models, which model the system's normal behavior. In order to improve their anomaly detection abilities, SVM and RF learn on tagged datasets. Using autoencoders for complicated and multidimensional data sets, deep learning has stabilized anomaly detection. K-Means and DBSCAN are two alternatives that can cluster data points and find outliers. This chapter takes a look at the algorithms and how they're utilized for identifying insider threats, fraud, malware, and network intrusions. In order to improve cybersecurity anomaly detection methods and safeguard against a wide variety of digital threats, this chapter takes a look at existing algorithms and methodology, analyzes their uses, problems, and potential future developments.
Intrusion Detection for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Parrot Algorithm
Authors: Ali Shatha , Alshinwan Mohammad , Khashan Osama A. , Hijjawi Mohammad , Altawil Arar , Al-Na'amneh Qais , Abu-Adaiq Hazem , Alhardan Hanan , AbdElminaam Diaa Salama , Tarawneh Omar , Abualigah Laith
Published: November 2024

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have become widely used as technology in various industries, including the military, healthcare, and automation. regardless of their usefulness, WSNs are vulnerable to various cyber threats, such as denial of service (DoS), node replication attacks, and physical tempering. Due to the nature of WSNs being resource-constrained, Traditional IDS frequently fail to address these challenges, which leads to an increase in false alarm rates and limited accuracy in detection. This paper presents a new intrusion detection approach leveraging the Parrot Optimizer (PO) algorithm. The PO algorithm integrated the four major behavioral strategies to dynamically optimize IDS formation. The suggested IDS aims to improve computing efficiency, decrease false alarm rates, and increase detection accuracy by utilizing these flexible techniques, addressing the challenges of WSNs. The achieved results show that the implementation of bio-inspired algorithms enhances the performance of the IDS by improving the accuracy of detecting threats targeting the WSNs networks.
Mining Cybersecurity Intelligence From Spam Emails Using the AI-Based Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Kotha Sriram , Hariharasitaraman S. , Mishra Nilamadhab , Das Patel Narottam , Patel Adarsh , Rout Saroja Kumar
Published: November 2024

The proposed work highlights distinguishing characteristics of document content. A significant amount of effort has been put into the field of spam filtering. GANs are an advanced artificial intelligence system that combines the power of two neural networks: a generator and a discriminator. The generator creates data (emails), while the discriminator evaluates accuracy. Through this adversarial process, GANs learn to distinguish between spam and legitimate emails by detecting minute patterns and irregularities. Phishing emails are generally considered spam emails. Any unsolicited, irrelevant, or unwanted message sent over the internet to promote, phish, disseminate malware, or engage in other nefarious acts is called spam. Phishing emails purposely try to fool people into disclosing private information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information by pretending to be from a reliable source. Social engineering tactics are frequently used in these emails to trick recipients into doing things that might compromise their security.
Reproductive Rights as a Human Rights Challenge With Special Focus on Abortion
Authors: Matusiak-Frącczak Magdalena , Pucelj Maja
Published: November 2024

Women's right to abortion has recently been disputed after the judgment of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal of 22nd October 2020 and the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United States of 24th June 2022. These two decisions are regarded as restricting the right to abortion with the aim to protect the right to life of a foetus. Especially the Polish judgment resulted in massive protests in Poland, however in 2022 there was another attempt to limit women right to abortion by making it equal to murder. Therefore, it needs to be analysed what actually is the current status of women's right to abortion as part of reproductive rights, comparing the experiences of Poland and Slovenia. The research analyses the new developments regarding women's right to abortion and it strongly concentrates on the most recent case law and its impact on global understanding of basic human rights.
A Comparison of Two-Way (Chemical and Thermal) Synthesis and Characterization of Graphene Oxide (GO) and Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)
Authors: Haq Inam Ul , Anwar Abdul Waheed , Abdullah Zeeshan , Waheed Abdul , Arslan Zunair , Ilyas Usman
Published: November 2024

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by two methods; Modified Hummer’s as well as Improved Hummer’s methods. Similarly reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was also prepared by two methods namely chemical and hydrothermal methods. Chemically rGO was prepared using urea and aluminium powder while hydrothermally rGO was prepared using autoclave and hot air oven. The sample obtained were characterized using UV-Visible, FTIR, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The result of the given samples obtained by the above methods for GO and rGO were compared and analyzed which showed that the hydrothermal route is better due to its simplicity and non-toxicity than chemical route but used for small scale production. These findings highlight the advantages of the hydrothermal method for GO and rGO synthesis, providing valuable insights for future research and development in graphene-based materials.
SASP – Physiotherapy beyond 100 years of rehabilitation
Authors: Mudzi Witness
Published: November 2024

No abstract available
Gardner’s Syndrome: Vigilance Better than Negligence - A Case Report
Authors: Kewalramani Yashika , Parihar Ajay , Reddy Prashanthi , Mandlik Rashi
Published: November 2024

Rationale:

This case report highlights the essential role of dental and medical professionals in the early diagnosis of Gardner’s syndrome (GS).

Patient Concerns:

A 21-year-old patient presented with painless, progressively enlarging swelling on both sides of the face, which had developed over the past few years.

Diagnosis:

Imaging, including a panoramic image and multislice computed tomography (CT) scan, revealed multiple osteomas. The patient was referred to gastroenterology, where endoscopy and colonoscopy identified multiple adenomatous polyps.

Interventions:

The patient subsequently underwent facial aesthetic corrections.

Outcomes:

The patient is currently undergoing regular gastrointestinal monitoring and managing colon polyps, with follow-up appointments scheduled annually.

Take-away Lessons:

To improve the prognosis, this report emphasises the vital role of dental and medical professionals in the early detection of GS, advocating for a multidisciplinary preventive approach.
Laparoscopic lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in the current era: A narrative review
Authors: Rajendran Theakarajan , Naik Maktum , Nag Hirdaya Hulas
Published: November 2024

Chronic pancreatitis is a benign disease which causes recurrent abdominal pain and loss of pancreatic function. Lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) is a commonly performed drainage procedure for this condition. While usually performed through an open approach, there have been few cases of laparoscopic approaches for this condition. A literature review was conducted to understand the current status of laparoscopic longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy (LLPJ). We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library to find the articles published until 1st October 2023. We excluded studies involving paediatric patients or robotic assisted surgeries. Our evaluation focussed on pain relief scores, morbidity, hospital stay length, mortality rates and the development of endocrine and exocrine deficiencies in the patients. The patients in the analysis had a mean age of 36.5 and a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The mean main pancreatic duct diameter was 11.5 mm. Tropical pancreatitis was identified as the primary cause. The surgical procedure was performed using 4 ports with minimal bleeding and a 13% morbidity rate. The conversion rate was 15%. The average operative time was 260 min and the mean hospital stay was 5.7 days. The results for pain control were excellent, as 90% of patients did not report pain in most series at the end of 3 years. The laparoscopic surgical management of chronic calcific pancreatitis with LPJ offers a safe and effective solution for pain relief in carefully chosen patients. However, further comprehensive studies with large sample sizes are essential to establish a more conclusive comparison between LLPJ and open surgery.
Асимптотика вероятности невырождения почти критических ветвящихся процессов в случайной среде: модели и примеры
Authors: Kharlamov Victor Vladimirovich
Published: November 2024

Изучаются почти критические ветвящиеся процессы $Z_{k,n}$ в случайной среде. Ранее было показано, что при достаточно естественных предположениях о сходимости $Z_{k,n}$ к критическому ветвящемуся процессу $Z_k$ в той же случайной среде вероятности невырождения процессов $Z_{n,n}$ и $Z_n$ эквивалентны. В этой работе приведены примеры применений этого результата и обоснована необходимость наложенных условий.
Outpatient management after hospitalisation for acute decompensation of cirrhosis: A practical guide
Authors: Protopapas Adonis A , Tsankof Alexandra , Papagiouvanni Ioanna , Kaiafa Georgia , Skoura Lemonia , Savopoulos Christos , Goulis Ioannis
Published: November 2024

Acute decompensation in cirrhotic patients signifies the onset of clinically evident events due to portal hypertension. The transition from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis involves hemodynamic changes leading to multiorgan dysfunction, managed predominantly in outpatient settings with regular monitoring. The mortality risk is elevated in decompensated patients. Therefore, diligent outpatient management should focus on regular medical follow-ups, medication adjustments, patient education, addressing emergent issues and evaluation for liver transplantation. The ultimate goal is to improve quality of life, prevent disease progression, reduce complications, and assess possible recompensation. This guide provides valuable recommendations for medical experts managing decompensated cirrhotic patients post-hospitalization.
Evaluation of autoimmune phenomena in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the basis of liver pathology
Authors: Zhu Yu-Jin , Zhang Yan , Rao Yao , Jiang Yong , Liu Yong-Gang , Li Jian-Zhou , Yuan Jia-Qi , Zhao Ying , Zheng Wen-Wen , Ma Lin , Wang Chun-Yan , Li Jia
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune phenomena can be used in some patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the clinic, but these patients are not autoimmune hepatitis patients.

AIM

To determine whether autoimmunity is present in patients with NAFLD, this study was performed.

METHODS

A total of 104 patients with NAFLD diagnosed by liver biopsy at Tianjin Second People’s Hospital between 2019 and 2023 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to their biopsy results: The NAFL (n = 36), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 51), and liver cirrhosis groups (n = 17).

RESULTS

The differences in IgA, an immune marker, among the three groups of patients were statistically significant (P = 0.025). In all NAFLD patients, antinuclear antibody and anti-smooth muscle antibody were the most common autoantibodies. The antinuclear antibody detection rate was the highest at 48.1%. The cirrhosis group had the highest autoantibody positivity rate (64.7%). Portal enlargement is also common in NAFLD patients. The rates of positivity for portal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, small bile duct hyperplasia and interfacial hepatitis were highest in the cirrhosis group; the differences between the cirrhosis group and the other two groups were significant (P < 0.05). Hepatocellular rosettes were identified only in the cirrhosis group (11.8%).

CONCLUSION

Autoimmune phenomena occur in NAFLD patients, especially in patients with NAFLD-related cirrhosis, in whom this phenomenon may be more pronounced.
Clinical profiles and their interaction of concurrent metabolic associated steatotic liver disease and hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Wang Shao-Wen , Chang Yu-Wen , Wang Ching , Cheng Yu-Ming , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Wang Chia-Chi , Kao Jia-Horng
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

A new nomenclature of metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was proposed in 2023, thus expanding the diagnostic name of “MASLD combined with other etiologies”.

AIM

To investigate the clinical profiles of patients with concurrent MASLD and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODS

This study included participants from the Taiwan Bio-bank. The diagnostic criteria of MASLD encompassed hepatic steatosis and any cardio-metabolic risk factors. Positive hepatitis B surface antigen was considered indicative of chronic HBV infection. Dual etiology was defined as MASLD combined with chronic HBV infection (MASLD-HBV). Fibrosis 4 (FIB-4) score determined the severity of liver fibrosis, and atherosclerosis was diagnosed by the presence of carotid plaques on duplex ultrasound.

RESULTS

In a total of 18980 participants (mean age, 55.18 ± 10.35 years; males, 30.42%), there were 7654 (40.3%) MASLD patients and 2128 (11.2%) HBV carriers. After propensity score matching for age and gender, HBV carriers had a lower percentage of MASLD than healthy controls. Those with dual etiology had higher aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and FIB-4 levels, but lower gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels than MASLD patients. In contrast, those with dual etiology had higher ALT and GGT levels, but lower FIB-4 than “HBV alone” patients. The risk of atherosclerosis was similar among these three groups.

CONCLUSION

MASLD-HBV patients have worse liver fibrosis severity than MASLD patients, but better liver fibrosis stage than “HBV alone” patients, suggesting a complex interaction between MASLD and chronic HBV infection.
Hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis: Mechanisms, global variations, and treatment advances
Authors: Cheng Jun-Ya , Shan Guan-Yue , Wan Hui , Liu Yi-Ying , Zhang Yu-Xin , Shi Wen-Na , Li Hai-Jun
Published: November 2024

We focus on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced cirrhosis, global differences, and the evolution of antiviral treatment strategies. Chronic HBV (CHB) infection affects more than 250 million people globally, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this article was to synthesize the current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical consequences of HBV-induced cirrhosis, and explore differences in disease progression between geographic regions. Disease progression varies across regions due to differences in HBV subtypes, transmission routes, and immune responses. The challenge of late diagnosis and treatment, particularly in resource-limited areas, highlights the urgency and importance of CHB service expansion. Modern nucleos(t)ide analogues, such as tenofovir and entecavir, have emerged as the main therapeutic regimens to improve clinical outcomes in patients by suppressing viral replication and attenuating liver fibrosis. However, drug resistance challenges highlight the need for ongoing research and personalized treatment strategies. This article highlights the mechanisms and impact of cirrhosis progression in the context of CHB infection, aiming to reduce the incidence of cirrhosis and its serious consequences, thereby improving the long-term health of CHB patients worldwide, especially in Africa.
Influence of alternative plant habitats on cassava whitefly colonisation in Malawi
Authors: Tembo Y.L.B. , Karungi J. , Kyamanywa S. , Kachigamba D. , Macfayden S. , Colvin J.
Published: November 2024

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important food security and income generating crop in Malawi; whose productivity is constrained by the whitefly (Bemisia spp.) pest complex and associated viral diseases. Current cassava tuber yields in the country are estimated at barely 30% of the potential yield of 91 tonnes per hectare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of alternative whitefly host plants within habitats, on whitefly infestation in cassava fields in Malawi. A field study was conducted at Lilongwe and Nkhata Bay in Malawi, in 2017. Treatments included (i) target cassava (<2 months old, and old cassava (8 - 13 months after planting); (ii) natural vegetation; (iii) pumpkin; (iv) sweet potato; (v) beans; (vi) groundnuts; (vii) Irish potato; (viii) soybean; (ix) tobacco and (xi) tomato. Clean sentinel cassava plants were placed in each habitat (three pots per habitat), at the beginning of the growing season. They were collected after four weeks to assess the relative colonisation rates of whitefly, by determining the number of nymphs. Plants placed in the cassava habitats presented the greatest number of nymphs (39.3); followed by natural vegetation (17.8) and old cassava (14.1); compared to other habitats. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the amount of parasitism of nymphs between habitats. This study suggests that in diverse landscapes alternative habitats can substantially influence whitefly population dynamics in cassava fields.
Factors influencing farmers’ choice of potato varieties to grow in south-western Uganda
Authors: Ssebbanja H.D. , Ilukor J.
Published: November 2024

The demand for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its products is rapidly expanding in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), owing to the unequivocal rise in human population largely through urbanisation. This study aimed at investigating the extent to which varietal and seed-system-based attributes influence the farmers’ choice of potato varieties to grow in Uganda. Data were collected from 147 purposely, potato-growing households in south-western Uganda. Varietal attributes, such as resistance to bacterial wilt, thick tuber skin texture, high dry matter content, and yield, significantly influenced the farmers’ choice of potato varieties. Thick tuber skin texture influenced varietal change positively, by 18% points. For the seed system-based attributes, distance to the seed sources, and long-term cultivation of a variety, negatively influenced potato varietal choices by 1.4 and 1.2%, respectively. It is concluded that varietal and seed system-based attributes influence potato varietal choice in south-western Uganda; although for farmers to change from one variety to another, the distance to seed sources should be minimal.
Synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations of zinc(II) oxide in nanosized range as a smart materials in treatment and recycling of wastewater
Authors: Y. El-Sayed Mohamed , A. El-Ossaily Yasser , M. Ahmed I. , H.A. Hasanin Tamer , Mohsen Q. , S. Refat Moamen
Published: November 2024

The new reaction between zinc(II) chloride and glutaconic acid (C5H6O4) was studied. The results indicate the formation of zinc(II) glutaconate complex with a molar ratio of metal to organic ligand (glutaconic acid) of 2:1 with the general formula [Zn2(C5H4O4)(Cl)2(H2O)2].4H2O. The infrared spectrum of the glutaconate suggested that the two carboxylate groups are bidentate chelating. The current study uses a thermal breakdown approach to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The crystallite size was calculated using Scherer's formula, which was 54 nm. The degradation of hydrogen peroxide, or H2O2, solution was used to test the produced ZnO NPs' catalytic activity performance. The results showed that ZnO NPs could efficiently break down H2O2. The ZnO NPs' photocatalytic capabilities have been assessed using methylene blue (MB) and UV light in an aqueous solution, according to the data, 77% of photocatalytic degradation towards MB in 240 min occurs.
KEY WORDS: ZnO NPs, Methylene blue dye, Photocatalytic, Metal-glutaconate complexation.
Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(2), 257-270.                                                              
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i2.6
Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant activity, docking and simulation of potential anticancer agents of azo dye for pyridyl and its palladium(II) complex
Authors: Mohammed Hasan , Sultan Atteqa , Ali Eltayb Wafa , O. Edet Uwem , Aniebo Umoh Ekementeabasi , Abdalla Mohnad
Published: November 2024

Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of a novel azo dye of pyridyl, namely, (E)-N-(4-hydroxy-3-(pyridin-3-yldiazenyl)phenyl)acetamide (EHPYPA) and its palladium(II) complex. The palladium(II) complex bears the formulation [Pd(EHPYPA)Cl], which is reported by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, CHN analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, 1HNMR spectroscopies, molecular docking and simulation. The synthesis and structural properties of the azo dye and its palladium(II) complex are reported. The EHPYPA ligand showed important changes in the colours and spectra at different values of acidity, which permit to use of it as an indicator in analytical chemistry. The EHPYPA ligand behaves as N,O-bidentate donor ligand forming chelates. The ligand and palladium complex have been screened against the SKOV-3 cell line using the MTT method. Furthermore, the docking results indicate favourable docking with scores were -7.3 kcal/mol, -7.8 kcal/mol, and        -11.2 kcal/mol for the ligand, palladium complex and Co-crystal. RMSD values for the prepared compounds indicate stability while PSA, MolSA and SASA values indicate favorable drug-like potentials for the ligands. The palladium complex has been investigated as an anticancer agent where the activity data had shown that the palladium metal complex has to be a more potent anticancer than the parent azo ligand, suggesting that metalation increases the anticancer activity of the azo ligand of pyridyl.
KEY WORDS: Cell line, Palladium, Azo, Complex, Indicator, Molecular docking
Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(2), 287-300.                                                              
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i2.8
Gluteal abscess caused by infected gouty panniculitis: a case report on sequalae of uncontrolled gout
Authors: Sheng Tan Shong , Win Kyi Kyi
Published: November 2024

Gouty panniculitis is uncommon manifestation of gout associated with monosodium urate (MSU) deposition into subcutaneous tissue. We report our local experience of this disease and its management strategy. Our patient was 39 years old gentleman, known to have gout who had not been compliant to follow up, presented with bilateral gluteal swellings for one month associated with discharge from the left gluteal swelling for 2 days. Clinical diagnosis of gluteal abscess with suspected infected gouty tophi was made. Wound debridement of infected left gluteal swelling was performed, followed by short course antibiotic therapy according to culture and sensitivity. Subsequently our rheumatology colleagues had assisted us with medical management of his gout, in which his right gluteal swelling did not get worsen and he remained well during our follow up.
Hemorrhoids or malignant melanoma? A case report
Authors: Hui Yeap Jing , Chin Leow Yeen , Mianxin Chew , Zakaria Andee Dzulkarnaen , Shah Mohd Shahrulsalam Mohd
Published: November 2024

Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is an aggressive and rare tumour. It carries a poor prognosis due to its inherent aggressive systemic activity and advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is the mainstay treatment which ranges from wide local excision to abdominoperineal resection (APR). Neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy has proven benefits in increasing survival rate or reducing loco-regional recurrence. In this case report, we present a 52-year-old male patient with anorectal melanoma. Staging scans showed an anorectal tumour with nodal involvement. He underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection in Hospital Taiping, Malaysia. He was discharged home well postoperatively.
Grown, chewed and omnipresent, Catha edulis plant in Ethiopia, its livelihood implication on rural households. Community based cohort nutrition study
Authors: Ademe Beyene Wondafrash
Published: November 2024

Background: : Catha edulis of the plant family Celastraceae is a mild stimulant plant known as Khat in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, the history of Khat dates back to the 13th century, and communities produce and/or consume Khat leaves for social, religious, cultural and economic purposes. This study aimed to assess the association between Khat production and consumption on food security and dietary diversity among rural households in Ethiopia.Method: A panel survey using quantitative methods was conducted in two regions of Ethiopia. Using an open Data Kit (ODK) a panel survey was conducted and analyzed applying a multivariable linear regression model.Result: The likelihood of food insecurity was twice as high among non-Khat consumers and Khat producers compared to households who neither produce nor consume Khat, (AOR: 2.17 [95%CI: 1.25, 3.76], p<0.1. On average, households that produced and consumed Khat were 1.5 times more likely to have high dietary diversity (AOR: 1.51 [95%CI: 1.09, 2.08], p<0.01).Conclusion: Although Khat is an important source of income for farmers throughout the year, our findings highlighted that Khat production and non-consumption were negatively associated with food security. The possible pathways of this association could be through the household subsistence farming and cash crop (Khat) interaction. Food security interventions should consider Khat production and consumption practices among households in Khat-producing and consuming areas of Ethiopia.