bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Auditory White Noise on Cognitive Performance
Authors: Baum Nicole , Chaddha Jasleen
Published: June 2021

Although noise has often been characterized as a distractor, contemporary studies have emphasized how some individuals’ cognitive performance could benefit from task-irrelevant noise. Usually these studies focus on sub-attentive individuals and/or those who have been diagnosed with ADHD. An example of task-irrelevant noise is white noise (WN). Research regarding the effectiveness of WN in healthy adults has provided mixed results and therefore, the implications of WN remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of WN on the cognitive performance of the neurotypical population. To test this, participants were asked to complete simultaneous amplitude discrimination and temporal order judgement (TOJ) tests several times in the presence of varying levels of WN. Participants were split into two groups––one containing individuals with regular prior WN exposure and the other with no previous experience with WN. The performances of participants with prior exposure to WN, but not those without prior exposure, resembled a U-shaped tuning curve for simultaneous amplitude discrimination. This indicates that familiarity with WN moderates its effectiveness on cognitive improvement. TOJ was not found to be affected by varying levels of WN intensity. The results of this study emphasized that there is a possibility that WN could facilitate higher levels of cognitive performance, though there is likely an adjustment period associated with its introduction to daily life. This warrants that additional research should be conducted in order to cultivate a definitive conclusion about the effects of WN.
Bioplastic: An accost towards sustainable development
Authors: Ahmad Khan Mohammad Kalim , Awasthi Khushboo , Akhtar Salman
Published: June 2021

In the current era, plastic has become a global environmental menace affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Regular plastic resilient nature towards decomposition, and it pollutes the environment. Conventional plastic is widely used in various industrial setups with no alternate substitute available. The quest to find an alternate solution to the emerging problem development of bioplastic that is eco-friendlier and adds no pollution to the environment has been much focussed. Bioplastic is plastic synthesized from renewable biomass sources rather than petroleum origin. The development of bioplastic of microbial origin will be a promising innovation to keep our world plastic-free and promote sustainability. It can be degraded easily and gets broken down into carbon dioxide, biomass, and water rapidly. The present reviews highlight the sources of microbial-derived bioplastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), extraction methodologies, optimization strategies to improve yield, degradation, application areas, present challenges, and prospects in production. We have also provided a brief insight into gene and gene clusters responsible for bioplastic production. Overall, the article will provide a comprehensive update on bioplastic to help mitigate our current problem associated with conventional plastic usage.
DESKRIPSI KOMPETENSI DAN MOTIVASI PEGAWAI TERHADAP KINERJA DI BALAI DIKLAT KEAGAMAAN BANDUNG
Authors: Nuranita Ranti
Published: June 2021

Competence, motivation and performance are an important part of a government institution that plays a role in achieving the vision of the government institution. This attracts researchers to conduct research with the aim to determine the effect of competence and motivation both simultaneously and partially on employee performance. The research method used a survey method with 78 respondents. The research data includes primary data taken through a Likert scale questionnaire, where the level of validity and reliability has been tested first. The analytical method used is descriptive and verivative with technical path analysis. The test results showed that competence and motivation together had an effect of 26% on employee performance and the remaining 74% came from other factors not examined by the researcher. Partially the influence of motivation on employee performance is more dominant than competence
ADIK PKL ABG SEBUAH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN ACTIVE LEARNING
Authors: Mujahidin Firdos
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this research is The purpose of this research is to develop existing model, method, and approach into a new learning model as a series of activities, and it has been commonly practiced in learning. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) designed by Richey and Klien at the 3rd level. The results showed that the learning model named "ADIK PKL ABG" can be applied in learning and successfully managed learning in an effective way. The name may have less positive perception in the future, so more positive and elegant acronym is in search
From Heun Class Equations to Painlevé Equations
Authors:   University of Warsaw, Poland, Dereziński Jan , Ishkhanyan Artur ,   Russian-Armenian University, Armenia, Latosiński Adam ,   University of Warsaw, Poland
Published: June 2021

In the first part of our paper we discuss linear 2nd order differential equations in the complex domain, especially Heun class equations, that is, the Heun equation and its confluent cases. The second part of our paper is devoted to Painlevé I-VI equations. Our philosophy is to treat these families of equations in a unified way. This philosophy works especially well for Heun class equations. We discuss its classification into 5 supertypes, subdivided into 10 types (not counting trivial cases). We also introduce in a unified way deformed Heun class equations, which contain an additional nonlogarithmic singularity. We show that there is a direct relationship between deformed Heun class equations and all Painlevé equations. In particular, Painlevé equations can be also divided into 5 supertypes, and subdivided into 10 types. This relationship is not so easy to describe in a completely unified way, because the choice of the ''time variable'' may depend on the type. We describe unified treatments for several possible ''time variables''.
Supernova Luminosity Powered by Magnetar–Disk System
Authors: Lin Weili , Wang Xiaofeng , Wang Lingjun , Dai Zigao
Published: June 2021

Magnetars are one of the potential power sources for some energetic supernova explosions such as type I superluminous supernovae (SLSNe I) and broad-lined type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic-BL). In order to explore the possible link between these two subclasses of supernovae (SNe), we study the effect of fallback accretion disk on magnetar evolution and magnetar-powered SNe. In this scenario, the interaction between a magnetar and a fallback accretion disk would accelerate the spin of the magnetar in the accretion regime but could result in substantial spin-down of the magnetars in the propeller regime. Thus, the initial rotation of the magnetar plays a less significant role in the spin evolution. Such a magnetar–disk interaction scenario can explain well the light curves of both SNe Ic-BL and SLSNe I, for which the observed differences are sensitive to the initial magnetic field of the magnetar and the fallback mass and timescale for the disk. Compared to the magnetars powering the SNe Ic-BL, those accounting for more luminous SNe usually maintain faster rotation and have relatively lower effective magnetic fields around peak time. In addition, the association between SLSNe I and long gamma-ray bursts, if observed in the future, could be explained in the context of a magnetar–disk system.
La surmortalité des jeunes adultes est-elle naturelle ?
Authors: Remund Adrien , Camarda Carlo-Giovanni , Riffe Tim
Published: June 2021

Une hausse temporaire du risque de décès au moment de l’entrée dans l’âge adulte a été observée dans de nombreuses populations sans qu’une explication n’émerge clairement jusqu’ici. Plusieurs études récentes permettent cependant de mieux cerner les principales caractéristiques de ce phénomène, qui s’avère historiquement non universel, davantage masculin sans toutefois que les femmes y échappent, et dominé par les morts violentes.
The eigenvalue problem for a class of degenerate operators related to the normalized $ p $-Laplacian
Authors: Liu Fang
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we investigate a weighted Dirichlet eigenvalue problem for a class of degenerate operators related to the \begin{document}$ h $\end{document} degree homogeneous \begin{document}$ p $\end{document}-Laplacian

   \begin{document}$ \begin{equation} \nonumber \left \{ \begin{array}{ll} {|Du|^{h-1}}\Delta_p^N u+ \lambda a(x)|u|^{h-1}u = 0, \quad\quad \rm{in}\quad \Omega, \\ u = 0, \quad\quad \quad \quad \rm{on} \quad\partial\Omega. \end{array}\right. \end{equation} $\end{document}

Here \begin{document}$ a(x) $\end{document} is a positive continuous bounded function in the closure of \begin{document}$ \Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^n(n\geq 2), $\end{document} \begin{document}$ h>1, $\end{document} \begin{document}$ 2< p<\infty, $\end{document} and \begin{document}$ \Delta_p^N u = \frac{1}{p}|Du|^{2-p} {\rm div}\left(|Du|^{p-2}Du\right) $\end{document} is the normalized version of the \begin{document}$ p $\end{document}-Laplacian arising from a stochastic game named Tug-of-War with noise. We prove the existence of the principal eigenvalue \begin{document}$ \lambda_\Omega $\end{document}, which is positive and has a corresponding positive eigenfunction for \begin{document}$ p>n $\end{document}. The method is based on the maximum principle and approach analysis to the weighted eigenvalue problem. When a parameter \begin{document}$ \lambda<\lambda_\Omega $\end{document}, we establish some existence and uniqueness results related to this problem. During this procedure, we also prove some regularity estimates including Hölder continuity and Harnack inequality.
Inverse problems for a half-order time-fractional diffusion equation in arbitrary dimension by Carleman estimates
Authors: Huang Xinchi , Kawamoto Atsushi
Published: June 2021

We consider a half-order time-fractional diffusion equation in arbitrary dimension and investigate inverse problems of determining the source term or the diffusion coefficient from spatial data at an arbitrarily fixed time under some additional assumptions. We establish the stability estimate of Lipschitz type in the inverse problems and the proofs are based on the Bukhgeim-Klibanov method by using Carleman estimates.
Application of mixed starter culture for table olive production
Authors: Erdemir Tıraş Z.Ş. , Kalkan Yıldırım H.
Published: June 2021

The fermentation of olives is usually carried out spontaneously by natural microbiota. Spontaneous fermentation has some disadvantages, such as the formation of defects in the end product due to the activities of undesirable microorganisms. The use of starter cultures could be a promising option to provide a more controlled fermentation environment and to reduce the risk of spoilage. Mixed starter culture use (generally selected Lactobacillus strains with or without yeasts) could reduce pH in a shorter time, producing a higher amount of lactic acid and enhancing microbial safety compared to fermentation with starter cultures containing single species or natural fermentation. Their use could also enhance the organoleptical properties of table olives. Particularly the use of yeast (such as strains of W. anomolus, S. cerevisiae) in the fermentation of olives, in combination or sequentially with lactic acid bacteria could result in an increase in volatile compounds and a more aromatic final product.
Investigating speaker individuality in the Swiss Standard German of four Alemannic dialect regions: Consonant quantity, vowel quality, and temporal variables
Authors: Zihlmann Urban
Published: June 2021

While German-speaking Switzerland manifests a considerable amount of dialectal diversity, until the present day the phonetic interrelation of Alemannic (ALM) dialects and spoken Swiss Standard German (SSG) has not been studied with an acoustic phonetic approach on the speaker level.
In this study, out of a pool of 32 speakers (controlled for sex, age, and education level) from 4 dialectologically distinct ALM areas, 16 speakers with 2 dialects were analysed regarding SSG consonant duration (in words whose ALM equivalents may or may not have a geminate), 8 speakers from the city of Bern (BE) were analysed for vowel quality, and 32 speakers were analysed for temporal variables, i.e., articulation rate (AR) and vocalic-speech percentage (%V).
Results reveal that there is much intradialectal inter- and intraspeaker variation in all three aspects scrutinised, but especially regarding vowel quality of BE SSG mid vowels and temporal variables. As for consonant quantity, while intradialectal interspeaker variation was observed, speakers showed a tendency towards normalised SSG consonant durations that resemble the normalised consonant durations in their ALM dialect. In general, these results suggest that a speaker’s dialect background is only one factor amongst many that influence the way in which Swiss Standard German is spoken.
La publicidad en buscadores de las plataformas españolas de compraventa de trabajos académicos: análisis del tráfico, costes y palabras clave
Authors: Comas-Forgas Rubén , Morey-López Mercè , Sureda-Negre Jaume
Published: June 2021

Los portales de compraventa de trabajos académicos se han convertido en una suerte de colaboradores necesarios en las prácticas deshonestas del alumnado universitario a nivel mundial y en los últimos años su presencia se ha incrementado notablemente. Nuestro estudio, basado en los datos extraídos del programa SEMrush, analiza el tráfico, la publicidad online y las palabras clave empleadas por 36 empresas españolas dedicadas a la venta de trabajos académicos a través de Internet. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto el incremento de visitas que reciben estos sitios web durante el último año, a la vez que ponen el acento en la mayor tasa de tráfico recibido a través de la publicidad online frente al tráfico orgánico. Nuestro aporte concluye con una serie de recomendaciones generales que entendemos pueden ayudar a encarar el problema.
Gender, ICT, and Micro-Loans for Small Business Operations in Ghana
Authors: Etim Alice S. , Etim David N.
Published: June 2021

In many underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including those in Ghana, there are microfinance institutions (MFIs) that provide small non-collateralized loans (or micro-loans) to entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs. The micro-lending activities, especially those channeled through entrepreneurship programs, were reported as being helpful and allowed for financial inclusion. However, Anaman and Pobbi evaluated performance and reported that some of the MFIs were becoming a burden because of steep interest rate charges and loan default, raising a need for borrowers to use relevant information and communication technology (ICT) tools and services to support business operations. This chapter reports a study on the differences in attitudes of female versus male borrowers of micro-loans and their use of ICT to support small business operations in Ghana.
Women in Higher Education in Nigeria
Authors: Odejide Abiola Ibidunni , Oyedele Obasanjo Joseph
Published: June 2021

This chapter examines issues of female access to higher education in Nigeria and the equity and empowerment interventions available to female staff and students in higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the light of Items 4 and 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals. It focuses on the major challenges, responses, their drivers, and their effectiveness. Statistical and existing qualitative data are used to highlight the persistent sociocultural, economic, political, security, and policy challenges that continue to negatively impact female participation and experiences in higher education. It advocates enactment and implementation of legislation and institutional policies to promote gender equity, gendering of the curriculum, females' equitable and quality participation in leadership positions, and better security from internal and external threats. Advocacy to foster widespread attitudinal change and collaboration on global and regional development initiatives marked by national priorities should facilitate the attainment of these goals. .
Dancing Body and Artistic Creation
Authors: Cadar Ana Carolina
Published: June 2021

This chapter aimed to explore, through the framework of Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalytical theories, Vaslav Nijinsky's particular usage of his artistic creations. The history of Nijinsky's revolutionary talent and his mental health decline was the focus of this chapter. Nijinsky's formation as a dancer and his unique talent, and the specificities of his original subversive pieces were addressed. What can Nijinsky's trajectory teach about the artistry of sublimation and the use of the body in dance? Findings were contrasted with data from Maricela Sulbaran Zerpa's research concerning dancers and their relationship with their bodies alongside some contemporary testimonies of dancers.
Periodisation and Dance
Authors: Matos Mariana
Published: June 2021

In addition to the annual dance steps teaching plan, a training plan designed for the dancer to reach the main presentation's peak performance is required. This training plan is called periodisation and seems to be a great tool for optimizing performance and avoiding overtraining. This chapter addresses the concepts of periodization translated by sport and association with the conditions found in dance. The manipulation of the volume and intensity of the dancer's integral training will be at the heart of the periodisation proposed in this chapter. The division of phases of a company's season or a year in the dance school will be analysed. The different phases aim to prepare the dancer's body for this activity's demands, improving and maintaining one performance, health, and quality of life.
A Reliable IDS System Using Blockchain for SDN-Enabled IIoT Systems
Authors: N. Ambika
Published: June 2021

The internet of things is the technology that aims to provide a common platform to the devices of varying capabilities to communicate. Industrial internet of things (IIoT) systems can perform better using these devices in combination with SDN network and blockchain technology. The suggestion uses random space learning (RSL) comprising three stages. The random subspace learning strategy is a troupe learning procedure called attributes bagging. It improves forecast and order errands as it utilizes group development of base classifiers rather than a solitary classifier, and it takes arbitrary subsets of properties rather than the whole arrangement of attributes. The system uses the blockchain methodology to secure the system. SDN networks aim to better the transmission of data in industrial IoT devices. Misrouting and forged attacks are some of the common attacks in these systems. The proposal provides better reliability than the previous contribution by 2.7%.
Social Media, Crowdsourcing, and Marketing
Authors: Inder Shivani
Published: June 2021

Social media has emerged as a new playing ground for digital marketing. Supporting the resource view of the organization, crowdsourcing is a strong platform for social media marketing. Crowdsourcing on social media for marketing is strengthening companies in terms of saving marketing expenditure; promoting at speed of light; and enhancing the organizational learning, collaboration, and performance. The chapter tries to focus on the relevance of social media, crowdsourcing, and marketing, which help the company to improve, innovate, and cultivate on the crowdsourced wisdom. The future of social media, crowdsourcing, and marketing depends on how companies change the way they perceive stakeholders, business, and processes.
Digitalization and Work Behaviour
Authors: Kaur Navreet
Published: June 2021

The digital economy has brought in its wake numerous issues of a technological kind. It has affected every element within the organization (e.g., structure, informal work relationships, culture, and most importantly, managerial leadership). Because of new technologies emerging every day, the process of change has become persistent, and a paradigm shift has been witnessed in the management of workplace behaviour. The chapter has three sections. Concepts underlying organizational behaviour and the meaning of digitalization are discussed in the first section; the second section is an analysis of the changing leadership framework and its role in digital business transformation, and the third section highlights the positive and negative effects of a digital workplace on employee behaviour. The discussion concludes with comments on the significance of a digital workplace in COVID-19 era. The primary objective of this chapter is to identify and organize the accumulated knowledge on the implications of digital transformation for organizational behaviour and provide critical insights.
Designing a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework to Reduce the Post-COVID-19 Impact on SMEs
Authors: Satapathy Suchismita
Published: June 2021

After the agricultural sector, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) play a vital role in the development of India. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) are contributing about 25% of the country's GDP (gross domestic product) from service activities and 33% to the manufacturing amount produced for India. Micro, small, and medium (MSME) entrepreneurs have been highly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Due to lockdown, MSME sector who could not export, nor get their ancillary parts, had problems with transportation leading to the inability to do marketing. Most important migrant laborers rushed to their villages or natives. Hence, without labor or workforce, the assembly lines stopped. In this chapter, an attempt is made to identify the challenges of the MSME sector and deal with the efforts often taken to restart them.
Psychological Resilience to Mitigate Mental Distress Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Among the Employees of SMEs
Authors: Sudha Shwati , Singh Ankita
Published: June 2021

A key change brought due to COVID-19 is an upsurge in pandemic-related psychological imbalances, which acts as a substantial stressor for unprecedented distress to the mental health of the employees in SMEs. The study concentrates upon risk factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic, which lead to psychological imbalances among the employees. It also identifies different physiological, emotional, and behavioral inconsistencies caused due to the impact of the pandemic. The study explains various techniques of psychological resilience, which include the assessment of the four pillars (i.e., sleep hygiene, nutrition, physical fitness, and social support), emotion-based coping, grounding, diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, altruism, and self-awareness. The exploratory study performed an analysis of available published data from different recognized directories of journals with the use of the systematic review technique.
Teacher Effectiveness in Canada
Authors: Clifton Rodney A. , Krylova Masha V.
Published: June 2021

There are only a few countries in the world in which education is not the responsibility of national governments but the responsibility of smaller units—provinces and territories in Canada and states in Australia and the United States. Canada has 10 provinces and three territories; hence, there are 13 systems of public education with about 5.5 million students and over 450,000 teachers (Canadian Education Statistics Council, 2020). Consequently, there is considerable variability across the country in the quality of education and in the way it is managed and delivered.
Teacher Effectiveness in Finland
Authors: Maaranen Katriina , Stenberg Katariina
Published: June 2021

Effective teaching is understood very differently in Finland than in many other countries. In fact, it is not considered a relevant aspect of the education system. All Finnish schools are considered to be good, and all the teachers have the same high quality educational preparation. Thus, when it comes to considerations for determining or assessing teacher effectiveness, a culture of trust is a specific feature of the Finnish education system. Teachers and schools are trusted, both on the grassroot level by the parents, and on the governance level by the education authorities at the local and the national levels. This chapter explores teacher effectiveness in Finland.
Revenues of the EU ETS Auctioning and Their Impact on Budgetary Allocation
Authors: Marchewka-Bartkowiak Kamilla , Jarno Klaudia
Published: June 2021

This chapter offers insight into the role of EU ETS auction revenues from the perspective of a public sector and implementation of climate change policy rules. The final part of the chapter presents a detailed analysis of the Poland case in the years 2013-2019. The analyses conducted revealed that the revenues acquired from emission allowances auctioning impacted the state of public finance in Poland to a lesser degree than projected. At the same time, it was also revealed that the currently applied solution in Poland in terms of qualifying revenues from auctioning and spending funds in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2003/87/EC fails to be transparent and does not promote additionality of actions taken.
Sustainability and Green Operations Management
Authors: Oladimeji Hezekiah , Singh Shalini , Afolabi Olayinka Olubukola
Published: June 2021

For over four decades now there has been global concerns emerging from environmental considerations. Sustainability was introduced subsequently as a concept to reconcile these environmental dynamics with other ‘pillars' of sustainable development (social and economic). These global concerns of the environment indicate the importance of green operations management towards optimal utilisation of organisational resources and sustainable management of the entirety of the systems. To this end, this chapter is aimed at providing a review and discussions on relevant historical literature on sustainability and green operations management.
Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA)
Authors: Arise Omolola Ayobamidele , Shewell Patricia Maureen
Published: June 2021

MFCA's potential as a GMT in the hospitality industry has not been well demonstrated. Instead, the manufacturing industry takes the credit for the successful implementation of MFCA. This may be attributed to the industry's inaccurate information on resource consumption and management for strategic internal decision-making. Greening in hotels has predominantly been viewed from customers' perspectives to gain a competitive advantage and improve profits. MFCA is presented in this chapter as a GMT to achieve eco-friendly hotel business practices via informed resource utilization data. Natural resources such as water and energy are gradually becoming scarce commodities with waste generation on the rise and environmental sustainability of the hotel business threatened. Hotels face pressure from the global market to improve their sustainability performance by implementing green practices. In meeting the requirements of sustainable practice, green management's goal focuses on reducing, eliminating, and preventing adverse effects arising from environmental activities.
Just Eat!
Authors: Dickens Kristen N.
Published: June 2021

This chapter explores the application of the 2015 Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) in conjunction with an eclectic family systems when counseling a Latin@ family. The Martinez family was referred to family counseling due to concerns of one of the children's school counselors, regarding a possible eating disorder diagnosis. The case study includes a rich description of the first session with the Mexican-American Martinez family, and examines family dynamics around the identified client, Javier. The Martinez family includes the following members: (1) Mañuel, Javier's 41 year-old father who owns his own construction business; (2) Camila, Javier's 38 year-old stay-at-home mother; (3) Alejandro, Javier's 17-year-old brother; and (4) Isabella, Javier's 12 year-old sister. A discussion of the author's cultural background, counseling approach, and use of the MSJCC lens when working with the Martinez family is also included. Initial goals and prognosis for treatment are considered.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Bandpass/Channel Filter Design
Authors: Nwajana Augustine O.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a step-by-step approach to the design of bandpass/channel filters. The chapter serves as a reference source to microwave stakeholders with little or no filter design experience. It should help them design and implement their first filter device using the microstrip technology. A 3-pole Chebyshev bandpass filter (BPF) with centre frequency of 2.6 GHz, fractional bandwidth of 3%, passband ripple of 0.04321 dB, and return loss of 20 dB has been designed, implemented, and simulated. The designed filter implementation is based on the Rogers RT/Duroid 6010LM substrate with a 10.7 dielectric constant and 1.27 mm thickness. The circuit model and microstrip layout results of the BPF are presented and show good agreement. The microstrip layout simulation results show that a less than 1.8 dB minimum insertion loss and a greater than 25 dB in-band return loss were achieved. The overall device size of the BPF is 18.0 mm by 10.7 mm, which is equivalent to 0.16λg x 0.09λg, where λg is the guided wavelength of the 50 Ohm microstrip line at the filter centre frequency.
Developing Leadership Cultural Agility for Civil Discourse
Authors: Cleveland Marisa , Cleveland Simon
Published: June 2021

Organizations continue to increase their presence in the global landscape, and their leaders are frequently challenged by the political, socio-economic, and cultural diversity of the growing workforce. The global organization's culture and climate are often influenced by employees' education, local political involvement, and digital and medial landscape. As a result, organizational leaders should develop culturally agile competencies in order to engage and motivate their employees. This study examines the role and need for cultivating cultural agility in leaders of global organizations in an effort to assist them in developing effective civil discourse among their followers.
Blurred Engineering Identities in Megascience
Authors: Pronskikh Vitaly
Published: June 2021

The scientific community engaged in research practices of high-energy physics in megascience laboratories is constituted by various subcommunities. These subcommittees are involved in engineering activities and preoccupied by phenomenal analyses. In recent decades, interdisciplinary accelerator and detector researchers, whose work is rooted in engineering, have replaced the experimentalists and instrumentalists of the 1970s; however, the role of pure theorists has remained essentially unchanged. In this article, the author clarifies the roles and specializations of these groups and explicate community members' blurred professional identities; the emphasis lies on engineering specialists and experimentalists. This research also attempts to clarify the reasons for the substantial imbalance of prestige among groups and how it is associated with access to highly valued epistemic practices such as articulating statements regarding natural phenomena. This paper applies an ethical theory framework to reveal how the lack of access to phenomenal knowledge expression—despite mediated contribution to knowledge production—creates participatory epistemic injustice. Finally, the author suggests ways to address this problem.
Spacer Length Modification Facilitates Discrimination between Normal and Neoplastic Cells and Provides Clinically Relevant CD37 CAR T Cells
Authors: Okuno Shingo , Adachi Yoshitaka , Terakura Seitaro , Julamanee Jakrawadee , Sakai Toshiyasu , Umemura Koji , Miyao Kotaro , Goto Tatsunori , Murase Atsushi , Shimada Kazuyuki , Nishida Tetsuya , Murata Makoto , Kiyoi Hitoshi
Published: June 2021

Despite the remarkable initial efficacy of CD19 chimeric Ag receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, a high incidence of relapse has been observed. To further increase treatment efficacy and reduce the rate of escape of Ag-negative cells, we need to develop CAR-T cells that target other Ags. Given its restricted expression pattern, CD37 was considered a preferred novel target for immunotherapy in hematopoietic malignancies. Therefore, we designed a CD37-targeting CAR-T (CD37CAR-T) using the single-chain variable fragment of a humanized anti-CD37 Ab, transmembrane and intracellular domains of CD28, and CD3ζ signaling domains. High levels of CD37 expression were confirmed in B cells from human peripheral blood and bone marrow B cell precursors at late developmental stages; by contrast, more limited expression of CD37 was observed in early precursor B cells. Furthermore, we found that human CD37CAR-T cells with longer spacer lengths exhibited high gene transduction efficacy but reduced capacity to proliferate; this may be due to overactivation and fratricide. Spacer length optimization resulted in a modest transduction efficiency together with robust capacity to proliferate. CD37CAR-T cells with optimized spacer length efficiently targeted various CD37+ human tumor cell lines but had no impact on normal leukocytes both in vitro and in vivo. CD37CAR-T cells effectively eradicated Raji cells in xenograft model. Collectively, these results suggested that spacer-optimized CD37CAR-T cells could target CD37-high neoplastic B cells both in vitro and in vivo, with only limited interactions with their normal leukocyte lineages, thereby providing an additional promising therapeutic intervention for patients with B cell malignancies.
Advanced Primary Abdominal Pregnancy – A Case Series Based on Single-Center Experience from a Rural Secondary Level Hospital in Northeast India
Authors: Solomi V. Carolin , Ismavel Vijay Anand , Miriam Ann
Published: June 2021

Five patients with advanced primary abdominal pregnancy presented to our center between 2010 and 2020. The clinical profile, presentation, and management of these patients are described with a discussion on this rare but important condition. Of the five, four women survived. There was preoperative fetal demise in four of them, and one patient had a healthy live term baby. Advanced primary abdominal pregnancy, although very rare, is a life-threatening variation of ectopic gestation. Correct diagnosis is often a serious obstetric dilemma and the condition is associated with a 90-fold increase in maternal mortality rate and fetal survival is exceedingly rare. The clinical symptoms by which patients present are similar to other ectopic pregnancies like tubal ectopics. However, in our subset of patients, all were in their third trimester and four out of five presented in shock. Hence, a high degree of clinical suspicion for abdominal pregnancy is required to clinch a correct diagnosis. Often, the diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy is made only during laparotomy. Preoperative ultrasound has 50% accuracy in diagnosing this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered gold standard for the diagnosis of abdominal pregnancies. Medical management with methotrexate is opted when the site of abdominal pregnancy is in the liver and spleen where life-threatening hemorrhage is expected. Surgical management is considered in patients with severe intraperitoneal hemorrhage and in second- and third-trimester abdominal pregnancies. Early diagnosis and proper surgical management irrespective of the stage of gestation is important for achieving good outcome.
Anterior Abdominal Wall Abscess
Authors: Dsouza Royson Jerome , Samuel Vasanth Mark , Thomas Cecil Thankachan , Gaikwad Pranay
Published: June 2021

Surgeons often encounter patients with advanced carcinoma of the stomach that necessitate urgent operative interventions. The presentations include perforation-peritonitis, bleeding, and gastric outlet obstruction. Carcinoma of the stomach is known to invade surrounding organs such as the transverse colon, pancreas, spleen, liver, and rarely, the anterior abdominal wall. In this case report, we describe an elderly diabetic male patient who presented with a large anterior abdominal wall abscess. The contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a communication from the pylorus of the stomach to the abscess cavity. He underwent drainage of the abscess, and the wound was transiently managed with a vacuum-assisted closure. On gastroscopy, a fistulous opening was noted in the pylorus with surrounding erythema. The biopsy from the lesion was reported as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells. Anterior abdominal wall abscess is a rare presentation of carcinoma stomach and when identified, the primary aim of the treatment should be the sepsis control and wound healing followed by definitive management.
Study of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Parameters in Patients of Nasal Polyposis Using Peripheral Arterial Tonometry
Authors: Basak Rajat , Rai Devinder , Munjal Manish
Published: June 2021

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by partial or complete cessation of airflow and oxygen desaturation during sleep owing to upper airway collapse. This study assesses the OSA parameters in nasal polyposis patients before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with the help of peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) device.

Methodology:

This was a prospective study done in the months of April 2015 to June 2016. Patients with bilateral nasal polyps with Lund Mackay Scoring marking equal to and more than two of both sides. Thirty patients willing to undergo PAT sleep study before and after FESS were recruited. The sleep parameters thus obtained in the pre- and postoperative period were analyzed.

Results:

Out of 30 patients, 22 patients were male and eight patients were female. The mean age was 43.17 with standard deviation of 10.06 years. The mean body mass index was 29.12 with a standard deviation of 5.76. All patients underwent FESS. The PAT study was done before and after surgery. Snoring grading and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scoring improved in the majority of patients after surgery. The mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) in the preoperative period was 32.7 which decreased to 11.34 in the postoperative period. The mean apnea hypopnea index (AHI) in the preoperative period was 22.85 which decreased to 6.34 in the postoperative period. The mean oxygen desaturation index (ODI) in the preoperative period was 16.8 which decreased to 4.4 after surgery. Significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between pre- and postoperative RDI, AHI, ODI, and oxygen desaturation events.

Conclusion:

The OSA parameters before and after endoscopic sinus surgery in nasal polyposis patients got improved. The PAT device, which is the newest novel plethysmograph, proved to be a reliable device for the assessment of sleep apnea parameters in nasal polyposis in the pre- or postoperative period.
Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity measurements in groundwater from Nasarawa North district Nasarawa state Nigeria
Authors: John Samuel Odumu Ogana , Akpa Timothy Chidozie , Onoja Rose Ada
Published: June 2021

Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in 40 groundwater (borehole and well water) samples from Akwanga, Wamba and N/Eggon Areas of Nasarawa North District, Nasarawa State Nigeria was measured using the low background MPC2000B DP model Gross Alpha/Beta counter (ORTEC®-Protean Instrument Corporation). The values of gross alpha activity in this study were observed to be less than those of gross beta activity. The average activity values of gross alpha and gross beta obtained were 0.25 ± 0.04 Bq/L and 2.23 ± 0.09 Bq/L for Akwanga, 0.19 ± 0.03 Bq/L and 1.62 ± 0.08 Bq/L for Wamba and 0.30 ± 0.05 Bq/L and 3.00 ± 0.14 Bq/L for N/Eggon areas, respectively. The results are found to be below the World Health Organization guideline levels for drinking water quality of 0.5 Bq/L for gross alpha but 45% of the samples slightly exceeded the 1.0 Bq/L for gross beta. This implied that the groundwater in the study area is radiologically safe for consumption and may not pose any significant health hazards to humans by way of ingestion. The groundwater from the study area is also safe for drinking as the total dissolved solids average values were below the contamination limit for palatable drinking water guideline level of 1000 mg/L. However, a radionuclide-specific test and a regular monitoring program of the environment are hereby suggested.
Use of herbal medicine during pregnancy and attitudes of pregnant women in Jos, Nigeria
Authors: Dafam Dalen G. , Denou Adama , Idoko Agnes , Jimam Nanloh S. , Okwori Victoria A. , Ohemu Temitayo L. , Yakubu Thomas P. , David Shakur
Published: June 2021

Herbal medicines have been used for disease prevention and treatment for both humans and animals worldwide. The present study was designed to determine the herbs used during pregnancy in Jos and to evaluate attitudes of pregnant women. The survey was carried out in antenatal clinics. Information was obtained from pregnant women (17-60 years) through both informal, unstructured conversations and the use of structured questionnaire. Botanical data were focused on the name and part of the herbs or plant used during pregnancy including herbs, herbal preparations and finished products having medicinal properties. In total, 300 pregnant women were enrolled for this study. The respondents were farmers (33.3 %), housewives (26.7%) and students (23.3 %). The most commonly used herbs were, garlic (16.7 %), pawpaw (13.6 %), ginger (13.0 %) and Moringa (8.0 %). Among the parts, bulb was the most used (16.7 %) followed by fruits (14 %). The most common reasons for the use were: herbal medicine is more effective than conventional medicine for some medications (20 %) and more easily accessed than conventional medicine (20 %). Most of the women were advised by family (31.3 %) and believed herbs had fewer side effects. The findings revealed their knowledge on medicinal plants. The women used one or more herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Keywords: Pregnant women; Herbal medicine; Medicinal plants; Jos; Nigeria
Imperforate hymen presenting with massive haematocolpos and acute urinary retention in a teenage girl: A case report
Authors: Mwampagatwa Ipyana H. , Mponda Baraka A.
Published: June 2021

Imperforate hymen is relatively rare but it is the most frequently encountered obstructive anomaly of the female lower genital tract. The clinical presentation vary significantly from patient to patient depending on the age at diagnosis but in most cases the diagnosis is missed in early childhood and therefore the diagnosis is made after puberty when the patient present with haematocolpos, heamatometra or both. When this happens, the presentation could even be tricky because the patient may presents with unlikely symptoms apart from cryptomenorhoea like, urinary retention or bowel obstruction or both. Here we present a 16 years old girl with imperforate hymen and presented with history of lower abdominal pain and distension associated with acute urinary retention. She was treated by hymenotomy and improved dramatically and was discharge 6th day post operatively.  This case report is presented to address to clinicians the possibility of imperforate hymen with haematocolpos as a differential diagnosis in adolescent girls particularly those who have not started having their menses in their teens and present with acute urinary retention so that their external genitalia are carefully examined to exclude the possibility of imperforate hymen as a cause of acute urinary retention due to the haematocolpos.
Enhancing HIV status disclosure and partners’ testing through counselling in Tanzania
Authors: Idindili Boniphace , Selemani Majige , Bakar Fakihi , Thawer Sumaiyya G. , Gumi Abdallah , Mrisho Mwifadhi , Kahwa Amos , Massaga Julius J.
Published: June 2021

Background: In Tanzania HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) is being implemented through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), provider initiated counselling and testing (PITC) and work place counselling and testing (HTC). Within these programmes, HIV status disclosure is emphasized. However, among persons who test HIV positive, many do not disclose their status to their partners and social networks.  However, data are lacking on the effectiveness of the different HTC strategies on HIV positive status disclosure.Objective: To investigate which of the three HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) strategies: Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), Provider Initiated Counselling and Testing (PITC) and work place Counselling and testing is associated with improved HIV-positive status disclosure in Eastern Tanzania.Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 455 newly diagnosed HIV-positive clients at 6 HTC sites during enrolment and at three months follow-up to collect data on disclosure status.Results: We found that PITC strategy attended a relatively higher proportion of clients 182/455(40.1%) as compared to VCT 169/455 (37.1%) and work place HTC strategies 104/455(22.9%) respectively. Among clients, about one third 130/455(28.6%) were found to be HIV-positive. HIV status disclosure rates were variable and were in order of preference of disclosing to family members 86/130(66.2 %), followed by relatives 74/130(56.9%) and sexual partners 71/130(54.6%). A high proportion of participants 77/130(59.2%) experienced violence acts from sexual partners in form of stigma and discrimination, abuse, divorce and termination from employment. In the multivariate logistic regression, disclosure to sexual partners was associated with violence acts of about two times higher (Disclosure to Partners OR=1.89) when compared to the group that did not disclose to their partners.Conclusion: PITC strategy was found to result into higher rates of HIV positive status disclosure when compared to VCT and work place HTC strategies. Stigma, discrimination and violence acts are still prevalent in Tanzania and discourages HIV positive status disclosure. Based on these findings, there is an urgent need of promoting public education on HIV transmission, prevention and treatment and enhancing strategies to reduce risky sexual behaviour and increase condom use.