bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stock Buyback Motivations and Consequences: A Literature Review
Authors: Chen Alvin , Obizhaeva Olga
Published: June 2022

Once infrequently used, stock buybacks have become the dominant form of corporate payouts in the new century. Hundreds of billions of dollars flow from public companies to their shareholders via share repurchases every year. This literature review presents the main findings from the academic literature on stock buybacks in the United States and around the world. Where appropriate and possible, it compares and contrasts the insights of researchers to the views of practitioners.
BLENDED LEARNING AND FLIPPED CLASSROOM, TRENDS OF LEARNING METHODS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Hamdani Hamdani
Published: June 2022

Blended learning is a learning method that uses slices of online learning systems (online) and face-to-face learning through video conferences. Flipped Classroom is a reverse classroom learning method, in which the teacher presents recorded material in the form of audio, video, presentation slides online on YouTube so that students can access and study before activities in class in the form of question and answer sessions, discussions. exercise, or other learning activities. This study aims to: (1) describe the classification of teachers application of the blended learning method in Islamic Educational Institutions, (2) describe the teacher's implementation/application of the flipped classroom learning method in Islamic Educational Institutions. The method used in this research is descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The object of research is the application of blended learning and flipped classroom in Islamic Education Institutions. The subjects to be studied are teachers at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 3 Banjarmasin in the application of blended learning and flipped classrooms. Data collection using a questionnaire sheet. Data were analyzed using percentage analysis and classification of the application of blended learning and flipped classroom. The results of the study are (a) the frequency of application of blended learning in the classification: traditional 0 (0%), web facilitated 9 people (32%), blended 9 people (32%), and online classification 10 people (36%); (b) the frequency of application of the flipped classroom is 15 people (57%) and the traditional classroom is 12 people (43%).
“I could probably live to be 100”: An Embodied Approach to Action-Oriented Research with Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Swacha Kathryn Yankura
Published: June 2022

Action-oriented research strives to include vulnerable populations’ voices and to ensure reciprocity between academic and non-academic stakeholders to address complex problems. Challenges persist, however, in engaging community members beyond experts and reconciling differences in the timetables of such work. This article proposes an embodied approach to action-oriented research with vulnerable populations that calls attention to the situated, embodied aspects of the smaller moments through which complex problems are lived. By analyzing a case study of a project at a senior center for disadvantaged older adults—with a particular focus on time, place, and bodies—the piece articulates the implications of such an approach for theory, methodology, and practice in both localized contexts and RHM more broadly.
Air Quality and Health in West Africa
Authors: D. Adedolapo Odubanjo
Published: June 2022

One of the most important elements for survival is air. Its significance cannot be overstated, necessitating proactive measures and regulations to ensure clean air in our atmosphere. Africa is one of the continents with the worst air quality. According to NASA modelling research, air pollution causes approximately 780,000 premature deaths per year in Africa. Experiments were carried out by the European-African consortium DACCIWA to investigate the causes and effects of air pollution by looking at the entire chain of natural and human-made emissions, from formation to dispersion to repercussions. The findings suggest that air pollution has already reached a dangerous threshold for human health in most West African countries. The aim of this chapter is to highlight and increase awareness about the severe risk that air pollution poses to the health of inhabitants of West African countries.
Neuropathology in Huntington’s Disease: A Balancing Act between Neurodegeneration and Aggregates
Authors: Petrasch-Parwez Elisabeth , Habbes Hans-Werner , Löbbecke-Schumacher Marlen , Rana Parwez Constanze , Saft Carsten , Maria von Hein Sarah
Published: June 2022

Neuropathology of Huntington’s disease (HD) presents with progredient neuronal cell loss mainly in the striatum, but also in multiple other brain areas suggesting HD as a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder. Mutant huntingtin aggregates are the characteristic hallmark of HD. The aggregates are misfolded proteins varying in location, form, size and structural composition indicating a complex involvement in neurotoxicity. The question if and how the aggregates and many interacting protein partners may lead to cell death is continuously a matter of debate. The role of mutant huntingtin is more than ever of paramount importance as present genetic therapeutic approaches try to target downregulation of the Huntingtin gene expression and/or lowering the corresponding protein. In this context—and these aspects are focussed—it is of crucial interest to elucidate the regional distribution as well as the cellular and subcellular localization of aggregates in established animal models of HD and in affected HD brains.
Contribution to the Calculation of Physical Properties of BeSe Semiconductor
Authors: Amine Ghebouli Mohamed , Ghebouli Brahim
Published: June 2022

We expose various physical parameters of binary compound BeSe in the stable zinc blend and NiAs structures using the functional HSE hybrid, GGA-PBE, and LDA. We deduce elastic constants, mechanical parameters, and wave velocities according to different orientations. BeSe semiconductor has Γ-X (2.852 eV) and Γ-K (0.536 eV) bandgap in zinc blend and NiAs structures. Electrons transit from Se-p site to the Be-s state and show covalent bonding. Optical absorption peaks result from electronic transitions under ultraviolet light irradiation.
The Influence of Some Contaminants in Food Quality
Authors: Nicolai Marisa , Pereira Paula , Palma Lídia
Published: June 2022

The concept of food quality has been following scientific and technological evolution. Currently, producers, users, consumers, as well as public authorities, have well defined their expectations regarding the quality requirements in the food sector. These projections are related to several parameters that are no longer seen only from a safety and nutritional point of view. Thus, the characteristics of food products must fulfill criteria that embrace their origin, esthetics, convenience, functionality, ethics, organoleptic and must result in benefit. The needs of consumers increasingly reflect public interests, which are supervised by public authorities that hold technical and scientific information that allows them to advocate normative regulations regarding defects, adulteration, and fraud, increasing awareness in the food quality field. Since food quality and safety are two increasingly interconnected domains, the different EU legislation and regulations impose procedures for the determination of contaminants. In this chapter, we will only cover three main topics, namely heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and mycotoxins.
Application of Onsager and Prigozhin Variational Principles of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics to Obtain MHD-Equation Dissipative System in Drift Approximation
Authors: Bogdanov Vadim
Published: June 2022

Electromagnetic phenomena in plasma are easier to describe in terms of fields, expressing the electric current through the rotor of the magnetic field. But the approach that ignores the corpuscular aspect of the electric current, as noted by H. Alfven, does not allow describing many processes in space plasma. Indeed, relying on the concept of continuity, it is impossible in the mechanics of continuous media to take into account the fluctuations of hydrodynamic functions formed due to the molecular structure of the medium. At the hydrodynamic level of description, taking into account the structure leads to the Langevin equation. Therefore, to describe processes in a magnetized plasma, it is of certain interest to obtain MHD equations in the drift approximation not from the Vlasov equations, but based on the principles of Onsager and Prigogine, combined by Gyarmati into one variational principle and obtaining a one-liquid plasma model in the drift approximation. Fluctuations are taken into account by introducing an additional term in the expression for pressure, written in the drift approximation, which is similar to the postulation of the Langevin source for describing Brownian motion. The obtained fluctuating-dissipative system differs from the reversible one-liquid approximation of the two adiabatic invariants of Chu, Goldberger, Low.
Understanding the Neuropathophysiology of Psychiatry Disorder Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Jakhar Jitender , Sarkar Manish , Kumar Nand
Published: June 2022

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and non-invasive tool that allows researchers to probe and modulate intracortical circuits. The most important aspect of TMS is its ability to directly stimulate the cortical neurons, generating action potentials, without much effect on intervening tissue. This property can be leveraged to provide insight into the pathophysiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Using multiple patterns of stimulations (single, paired, or repetitive), different neurophysiological parameters can be elicited. Various TMS protocol helps in understanding the neurobiological basis of disorder and specific behaviors by allowing direct probing of the cortical areas and their interconnected networks. While single-pulse TMS can provide insight into the excitability and integrity of the corticospinal tract, paired-pulse TMS (ppTMS) can provide further insight into cortico-cortical connections and repetitive TMS (rTMS) into cortical mapping and modulating plasticity.
Alternatives to Antibiotics in Semen Extenders Used in Artificial Insemination
Authors: M. Morrell Jane , Malaluang Pongpreecha , Cojkic Aleksandar , Hansson Ingrid
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global threat requiring a widespread response. Both veterinarians and medical doctors should restrict antibiotic usage to therapeutic use only, after determining the sensitivity of the causal organism. However, the addition of antibiotics to semen extenders for animal artificial insemination represents a hidden, non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial substances. Artificial insemination for livestock breeding is a huge global enterprise with hundreds of million sperm doses prepared annually. However, reporting of antimicrobial resistance in semen is increasing. This review discusses the consequences of bacteria in semen samples, as well as the effect of antimicrobial substances in semen extenders on bacteria in the environment and even on personnel. Alternatives to antibiotics have been reported in the scientific literature and are reviewed here. The most promising of these, removal of the majority of bacteria by colloid centrifugation, is considered in detail, especially results from an artificial insemination study in pigs. In conclusion, colloid centrifugation is a practical method of physically removing bacteria from semen, which does not induce antibiotic resistance. Sperm quality in stored semen samples may be improved at the same time.
Mediterranean Diet and Health
Authors: Akar Sahingoz Semra , Herdem Güldağ
Published: June 2022

In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on the relationship between the diet form known as the “Mediterranean diet” and various diseases. The Mediterranean diet is considered as one of the most effective diet forms in relation to a healthy diet and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Research has demonstrated that adherence to this diet form has contributed positively to protecting dental health and reducing mortality rates stemming from neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer (particularly colon and breast cancers), mental function diseases, lower incidence of atherosclerosis, and chronic degenerative diseases. It has further been determined that this diet form, positively affects the improvement of general health status, with its positive effects on living a healthy life and quality aging. Tackling the basic characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, this chapter renders the things to do for disease prevention and the findings of studies examining the relationship between this diet form and different diseases.
Winter Strawberries Production in Greenhouse Soilless Culture under an Arid Climate – Cultivars, Phenology, Physiology, and Consequent Practices
Authors: Guy Ofer , Dai Nir , Cohen Shabtai , Bustan Amnon
Published: June 2022

Fifteen years of research and development aimed at the production of high-quality early-winter strawberries in the Negev desert, are concluded. This goal required synchronization of seasonal yields with the peaks of the markets\' demand, November−February. For this purpose, selected infra short-day (ISD) cultivars were used. Rooted plug plants with enhanced capacity of simultaneous fast vegetative growth and fruiting were produced. Production was carried out in greenhouses and various protocols aimed at yield enhancement were tested. Currently, drip-fertigated, eye-level hanging soilless system, with plant density at about 200,000 plants ha−1, combined with biological pest management program, are employed. This system brought about a two-fold increase in yield compared to soil culture (80–100 t ha−1), significantly reduced risks of soil- and air-borne diseases, reduced the use of fungicides, and eased extensive labor demands. However, beyond substantial refinements of practices, a significant proportion, 15–25% of the seasonal high-quality yield, was harvested during the earlier two months with no reduction in the total yield or fruit quality. In this chapter, the state of art in early-winter strawberry production is portrayed, including principles, approaches, and methods that have been used and improved during the project. Additionally, ideas for further possible enhancement are discussed.
Inflammation-Based Markers of Nutrition in Cancer Patients
Authors: Izuegbuna Ogochukwu
Published: June 2022

Malnutrition and cachexia are common findings in cancer patients, and they predict poorer clinical outcomes. Close to half of cancer patients regardless of cancer type have malnutrition and will require one form of nutritional support either before or during treatment. The early identification of malnutrition is thus important to physicians and caregivers. The role of inflammation in the development and progression of malnutrition and cachexia is being unravelled. Increasing evidence shows that systemic inflammatory response and nutritional status are involved in tumour development and influence the clinical prognosis. Serum proteins such as albumin and prealbumin have traditionally been used by physicians to determine patient nutritional status. More recently, inflammation-based prognostic scores including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), C reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) have shown promise and have begun to be used in clinical practice to predict prognosis of cancer patients. This chapter highlights the role and pathophysiology of inflammation-based markers in assessing malnutrition and cachexia and their relationship to clinical screening tools.
Purinergic System in Immune Response
Authors: Magnolia Useche Salvador Yerly
Published: June 2022

In mammalian cells, the purinergic signaling and inflammatory mediators regulate each other. During microbial infection, nucleotides and nucleosides from both dying host cells and pathogens may be recognized by the host receptors. These receptors include purinergic receptors such P2X, P2Y, and A2A, as well Toll-like receptors, and NOD-like receptors. The interaction with most of these receptors activates immune responses, including inflammasome activation, releasing of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species production, apoptosis induction, and regulation of T cell responses. Conversely, activation of adenosine receptors is associated with anti-inflammatory responses. The magnitude of resultant responses may contribute not only to the host defense but also to the homeostatic clearance of pathogens, or even to the severe progression of infectious diseases. In this chapter, we discuss how the purinergic signaling activation upregulates or downregulates mechanisms in infectious diseases caused by the bacterial, parasite, and viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. As a concluding remark, purinergic signaling can modulate not only infectious diseases but also cancer, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases, constituting a strategy for the development of treatments.
Effect of Sodium Acetate and Trace Element (Se2+, Zn2+) on Exopolysaccharide Production by Lactobacillus plantarum and Promote Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Kusmiati Kusmiati , Yuliani Yeni , Nyoman Sumerta I. , Radini Noerdjito Diah , Wahidin Wahidin , Puspita Anggraeni Ghina , Yosephin Yosephin , Tri Laksono Agung , Kanti Atit
Published: June 2022

L. plantarum producing EPS plays an important role as an antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and anticancer. This study aims to increase the production of EPS by L. plantarum through modification of MRS (de Mann Rogosa Sharpe) media mixed with coconut water, treated with natrium acetate, Se, and Zn at different concentration, as well as understanding its effect on antioxidant activity. The effect of adding sodium acetate with different concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0% into mixed media MRS coconut water, (1:3) was studied. Fermentation experiments at different of Se2+ concentration (mM): 50; 75; 100; 125; 150; and 175, and addition of variation Zn2+ concentration (mM): 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10.0; 12.5; and 15.0), were carried out separately. Antioxidant potential was tested by FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and ABTS (2.2′-azinobis (3-ethyl benzatiazoline)-6-sulfonate). The results showed that the addition of sodium acetate with different concentrations showed a significant difference to the dry weight of EPS (P < 0.05). The increase in sodium acetate concentration was up to 1%, in line with the increase in EPS production by L. plantarum (g/g DW biomass). The addition of Se2+ 100 mM increased the ratio of glucose to protein content by 2.121. The value of the antioxidant activity of Fe (II) was 311.54, and the ABTS test obtained IC50 of 83.041. A separate experiment with the addition of Zn2+ in the fermentation medium of L. plantarum produced a fluctuating exopolysaccharide. The value of the antioxidant activity of Fe (II) M using the FRAP method was 275.886. The IC50 value with the ABTS method is 73.2942. Characterization of EPS from L. plantarum using FTIR (Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometry) has hydroxyl, carboxylate, and aromatic functional groups.
Studies on the Source Parameters of the 23 June 2014 Rat Islands, Alaska, MW 7.9 Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Motazedian Dariush , Ma Shutian
Published: June 2022

On 23 June 2014, an MW 7.9 earthquake occurred in the Rat Islands region, Alaska, United States. We inverted the full moment tensor for the mainshock, and found the shallow-dip nodal plane (P1) is: strike 207.4°, dip 27.1°, slip −12.7°; the steep-dip plane (P2) is: strike 308.7°, dip 84.2°, slip −116.5°. The larger aftershocks that have depth phase records were relocated and found the majority were distributed along a moderate dipping trend. The steep-dip plane was selected as the causative plane. Using the steep-dip plane as the rupture plane, source rupture process inversions were performed. The obtained maximum slip was about 3.5 m. The optimal rupture velocity VR was about 2.0 km/s. The shallow-dip plane was also used as a rupture plane to perform rupture inversion trials. Curiously the overall waveform fit between the observed and the synthetic seismograms is slightly better than that when the steep-dip plane was used. The catalogue hypocenters of the aftershocks with magnitude ≥ 4.0 were used to simulate a spatial plane. The simulated plane is moderate dipping towards north-west. When the simulated plane was used as the rupture plane, the overall waveform fit was poor. The moderate dipping plane was not the causative plane.
Value-Added Products from Natural Gas Using Fermentation Processes: Products from Natural Gas Using Fermentation Processes, Part 2
Authors: Lackner Maximilian , Drew David , Bychkova Valentina , Mustakhimov Ildar
Published: June 2022

Methanotrophic bacteria can use methane as their only energy and carbon source, and they can be deployed to manufacture a broad range of value-added materials, from single-cell protein (SCP) for feed and food applications over biopolymers, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), to value-added building blocks and chemicals. SCP can replace fish meal and soy for fish (aquacultures), chicken, and other feed applications, and also become a replacement for meat after suitable treatment, as a sustainable alternative protein. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) like PHB are a possible alternative to fossil-based thermoplastics. With ongoing and increasing pressure toward decarbonization in many industries, one can assume that natural gas consumption for combustion will decline. Methanotrophic upgrading of natural gas to valuable products is poised to become a very attractive option for owners of natural gas resources, regardless of whether they are connected to the gas grids. If all required protein, (bio) plastics, and chemicals were made from natural gas, only 7, 12, 16–32%, and in total only 35–51%, respectively, of the annual production volume would be required. Also, that volume of methane could be sourced from renewable resources. Scalability will be the decisive factor in the circular and biobased economy transition, and it is methanotrophic fermentation that can close that gap.
Water Cleaning by Means of Microalgae in the Channels of Xochimilco, Mexico
Authors: Almanza Encarnación Saúl , Guadalupe Figueroa Torres María , Jesús Ferrara Guerrero María , del Rosario Malpica Sánchez Aída , Roberto Angeles Vázquez José
Published: June 2022

The lake of Xochimilco, Mexico presents a high degree of chemical contamination, despite belonging to a Protected Natural Area and RAMSAR site, due to this, it was decided to evaluate the quality of its waters and propose solutions to its contamination. The objective of this work was to know the relationship that exists between the microalgae species associated with a dump that affects the site, coming from a Wastewater Treatment Plant and the physicochemical factors coupled with the development of bioassays. Water sampling was carried out in the site and adjacent areas to know the microalgae species and their cleaning role, in addition to laboratory bioassays to verify the results. There are 88 species of microalgae and their influence on water cleaning. In laboratory, it was confirmed that some algae species were purifiers of contamination by nutrients.
Gender and Modern-Day Slavery: Aggression and Violence in the Context of a Nigerian Focus
Authors: Juachi Eteng Mary , Uchenna Nnam Macpherson
Published: June 2022

This chapter explored the various forms of gender-based modern-day slavery in Nigeria. Such modern slaveries as baby factories (unlawful maternity and orphanages where children are sold and their mothers serve as ‘economic-slaves, sex-slaves, procreation-slaves, and money-ritual-slaves’), peonage (debt bondage), and early forced marriage were found to be common and on the increase in Nigeria and fundamentally precipitated by patriarchy. The predictors and risk factors of these slavery typologies were supported by the tenets of feminist and political economy theories, which formed the framework. A patriarchal society engenders inequalities, alienation, subjugation, aggression, violence, deprivations, and frustration, with women on the receiving end, when compared to men. The female population is largely the victim, while most perpetrators are males. The new, emerging trend in slavery enterprise are typically organised and largely motivated by women’s vulnerabilities and powerlessness, with dehumanising and destructive consequences. Arising from this is the conclusion that certain cultural practices and socioeconomic forces intertwine with poverty, lack of qualitative education, and other exclusions to expose women and girls to servitudes. The problem requires robust intersectoral approaches—that is, coordinated intervention, programmes, and collaborative efforts between governments and local authorities and institutions—to (re)solve.
Green Methods of Chemical Analysis and Pollutant Removal
Authors: Tri Wahyuni Endang , Sri Kunarti Eko
Published: June 2022

This chapter deals with chemical analysis and pollutant removal methods that follow some of the 12 principles of Green Chemistry. In this chapter, the 12 principles of the Green Chemistry along with the short description are highlighted. Several chemical analysis methods are presented, that are both used for chemical identification and concentration determination, whether conventionally or instrumentally. The conventional chemical analysis methods evaluated in this chapter include volumetric and gravimetric, while the instrumental ones presented are limited to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for determination of the analyte concentration, and Infrared spectrometry (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for chemical identification. Additionally, the pollutant removal methods involving conventional and advanced processes, are reviewed. The conventional chemical removal methods such as precipitation, coagulation, and adsorption are illustrated. The advanced methods in removing chemical pollutants discussed in this chapter are photocatalytic degradation, photo-oxidation/reduction, Fenton and Photo-Fenton, and ozonation. In the description of the chemical analysis and the chemical pollutant removal methods, the evaluation of the unsuitableness or suitableness toward some of the Green Chemistry principles are also accompanied. In addition, the ways to make the less green methods to be greener are also proposed.
CO2 Injectivity in Deep Saline Formations: The Impact of Salt Precipitation and Fines Mobilization
Authors: A. Sokama-Neuyam Yen , A.M. Yusof Muhammad , K. Owusu Shadrack
Published: June 2022

Climate change is now considered the greatest threat to global health and security. Greenhouse effect, which results in global warming, is considered the main driver of climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission has been identified as the largest contributor to global warming. The Paris Agreement, which is the biggest international treaty on Climate Change, has an ambitious goal to reach Net Zero CO2 emission by 2050. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is the most promising approach in the portfolio of options to reduce CO2 emission. A good geological CCUS facility must have a high storage potential and robust containment efficiency. Storage potential depends on the storage capacity and well injectivity. The major target geological facilities for CO2 storage include deep saline reservoirs, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) wells, and unmineable coal seams. Deep saline formations have the highest storage potential but challenging well injectivity. Mineral dissolution, salt precipitation, and fines mobilization are the main mechanisms responsible for CO2 injectivity impairment in saline reservoirs. This chapter reviews literature spanning several decades of work on CO2 injectivity impairment mechanisms especially in deep saline formations and their technical and economic impact on CCUS projects.
Diagnosis of Actinomycosis in the Physician’s Clinic
Authors: Maruma Frans , Edward Ngwenya Rhulani
Published: June 2022

The actinobacteria have an important role to play in humans. On one hand the actinobacteria, especially the streptomyces spp. are used medicinaly for synthesis of some novel anti-microbial medicines whilst on the other hand, Actinomyces species also exist as normal commensals as well as pathogens that cause disease in humans. The bacteria play a role in the maintenance of healthy human organs where they are considered normal inhabitants. The genus, Actinomyces is normally found in the mouth, gut and the female genital tract of human beings. This chapter elaborates on different clinical manifestations of actinomycosis in humans, making use of visual illustrations depicting the vast array of pathology therein. Finally, the diagnosis and treatment of these infections in humans is also fully discussed.
Protocols for Bleeding and Thrombosis in Pediatric Intensive Care Units
Authors: Natesirinilkul Rungrote
Published: June 2022

Bleeding and thrombosis are the common hematological complications found in children who are admitted in the pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Some of those complications could be mild, however some could be serious or life-threatening for critically-ill children. The etiologies of those conditions could be due to the underlying diseases, i.e., congenital bleeding disorders, complications of the diseases, i.e. coagulopathy due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and also the side effects from the treatments themselves, i.e., massive transfusion or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Early detection and management and prevention of those complications could decrease the morbidity and mortality of the children in PICUs. Although most guidelines of management of those bleeding and thrombosis in adults is well established, the evidences for the management of those conditions in children are limited. In addition, developmental hemostasis during the childhood, which is different from adulthood, could challenge the management of those conditions in children admitted in PICUs.
Modeling the Effect of Climate Change on Water Stored above a Micro-Dam in an Inland Valley Swamp in Sierra Leone, Using SWAT
Authors: M. Blango Mohamed , A. Cooke Richard , P. Moiwo Juana , Kangoma Emmanuel
Published: June 2022

Many societies have experienced water scarcity resulting from population growth, increased urbanization and industrialization, increased irrigation associated with advances in agriculture productivity, desertification, global warming, or poor water quality. Climate change, and soil heterogeneity has a direct impact on the discharges of many rivers in and around the world. Various hydrological models have been used to characterize the impact of climate and soil properties on hydrology and water resources. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) water balance model, one such model, has been used at a variety of scales. In this instance it was used to model the impact of climate change on water storage in a reservoir at the downstream end of a small (75 ha) watershed. The watershed is the major component of an inland valley swamp, with a valley bottom that receives runoff from the watershed. The SWAT model was calibrated using storage data from 2014/15 and validated with data from 2015/16. Using future ensemble values derived from GCMs, the model predicted a reduction in the storage volume at the beginning of December of every dry season, with the 100-year storage volume down from 10,000 to 6900 cubic meters.
Mapping of Social Functions in a Smart City When Considering Sparse Knowledge
Authors: Zinman Oded , Lerner Boaz
Published: June 2022

In recent years, technological advances, specifically new sensing and communication technologies, have brought new opportunities for a less expensive, dynamic, and more accurate mapping of social land use in cities. However, most research has featured complex methodologies that integrate several data resources or require much prior knowledge about the examined city. We offer a methodology that requires little prior knowledge and mainly relies on call detail records, which is an inexpensive available data resource of mobile phone signals. We introduce the Semi-supervised Self-labeled K-nearest neighbor (SSK) algorithm that combines distance-weighted k-nearest neighbors (DKNN) with a self-labeled iterative technique designed for training classifiers with only a small number of labeled samples. In each iteration, the samples (small land units) that we are most confident of their classification by DKNN are added to the training set of the next iteration. We perform neighbor smoothing to the land-use classification by considering feature-space neighbors as in the regular KNN but also geographical space neighbors, and thereby leverage the tendency of approximate land areas to share similar social land use. Based only on a few labeled examples, the SSK algorithm achieves a high accuracy rate, between 74% without neighbor smoothing, and 80% with it.
Pharmacological Properties and Health Benefits of Capsicum Species: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Dhamodharan Kalaiyarasi , Vengaimaran Manobharathi , Sankaran Mirunalini
Published: June 2022

Since the start of history, natural medicine has been of great interest and attention to humankind. A heap of empirical research indicates that spices have undoubtedly made our lives more interesting and may also make them longer. Capsicum is a highly regarded indispensable spice all over the globe for its umpteen culinary and medicinal facets. It has been used for more than 7000 years in Mexico and is believed to have originated in tropical Central America. Mainly, this botanical contains a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and carotenoids. Interestingly, capsicum phenolic compounds are helpful in preventing and treating many ailments. So, it intends as a beneficial milestone in the pharmaceutical industry and a boon to humanity. This chapter highlights the tremendous pharmacological uses and health benefits of capsicum species and its active compounds in multifarious aspects.
Unshielded Magnetocardiography in Clinical Practice: Detection of Myocardial Damage in CAD Patients and in Patients Recovered from COVID-19
Authors: Chaikovsky Illya , Kazmirchyk Anatoly , Sofienko Sergey , Liu You-Bin , Zhou Ya-Feng , Feng Xie , Xu Lin , Huang Yan-Fei
Published: June 2022

The chapter deals with magnetocardiography—a specific section of electrocardiography, which is designed to analyze the magnetic component of the electromagnetic field of the heart. Magnetocardiography is described as clinical information technology (IT), i.e., a set of methods, software, and hardware combined into a technological chain, the product of which is an automated diagnostic report. There are several examples of magnetocardiographic information technology implementation in clinical routine, aiming to register and evaluate subtle changes in the electromagnetic field of the heart for early diagnosis of the most common and dangerous heart diseases, especially coronary heart disease. It is shown that new metrics of analysis of spatial structure of 2D and 3D magnetocardiographic maps of current density distribution allow diagnosis with high accuracy of various forms of myocardial ischemia as well as myocardial damage in patients, recently recovered from COVID-19.
Prenatal Diagnosis: The Main Advances in the Application of Identification of Biomarkers Based on Multi-Omics
Authors: Wang Tong , Xu Jiahe , Wang Lin , Cui Xiumin , Yan Yan , Tang Qiuqin , Wu Wei
Published: June 2022

Prenatal diagnosis is to make the diagnosis of fetal structural abnormalities, genetic diseases, and pregnancy-related diseases before birth thus could offer evidence for intrauterine treatment or selectively termination of pregnancy. Up to now, researchers have applied multi-omics, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, in the discovery of prenatal diagnostic biomarkers. They have found some candidate biomarkers for aneuploids, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, and congenital structural abnormalities. With the momentous progress of biomarkers’ identification based on multi-omics for prenatal diagnosis, noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has experienced tremendous progress and is revolutionizing prenatal screening and diagnosis over the past few decades. Extensive studies have also demonstrated the value of biomarkers. In particular, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), allows for a definitive diagnosis in early pregnancy for fetal diseases, including Down syndrome and other common aneuploidies. The cfDNA can be extracted from maternal plasma, posing no risk of miscarriage compared to the traditional invasive diagnosis directly analyzing fetal cells from amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. In this review, we would discuss the main advances, strengths, and limitations in the application of biomarkers for prenatal diagnosis along with the analysis of several representative fetal diseases.
Wind Tunnel Test of Icing Distribution on the Leading Edge of a 2D Blade Airfoil for Wind Turbines
Authors: Li Yan , Mu Zhongqiu , Liu Zhiyuan , Guo Wenfeng , Feng Fang , Tagawa Kotaro
Published: June 2022

As clean and renewable energy, wind energy has been widely used in the world. The wind turbine is a kind of rotating machinery, which can convert wind energy into mechanical energy and electrical energy. Wind turbines sometimes face a variety of extreme weather conditions, such as icing, heavy snow, lightning, sand storm, and so on, which affect the safety operation of wind turbines. In the present study, icing events on the blade surfaces of wind turbines are focused, and the wind tunnel test of icing was carried out on a 2D blade with NACA0018 airfoil used in wind turbines. In the icing tests, three kinds of ambient temperatures were selected, including −5 °C, −10 °C, and −15 °C, and two kinds of wind speeds were decided, including 5m/s and 10m/s. The icing distributions on the blade surface at the different attack angles were tested and recorded by a high-speed camera for several minutes. The ice accretion and distribution characteristics at the leading edge of the 2D blade airfoil were acquired and analyzed. The findings can provide a reference for the research on the icing mechanism and the de- and anti-icing of wind turbines.
A Role for Cardiac Glycosides in GBM Therapy
Authors: Du Yuchen , Li Xiao-Nan , Yang Peiying , A. Newman Robert
Published: June 2022

There is a pressing need for new effective therapeutic strategies to treat glioblastoma (GBM). Cardiac glycoside compounds consisting of both cardenolides and bufadienolides have been shown to possess potent activity against GBM cell lines and in vivo GBM tumors. In addition, recent research has shown that certain cardiac glycoside compounds contribute to an additive and even synergistic manner with the standard of care GBM treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Finally, the finding that cardiac glycosides may offer a unique role in the control of GBM stem cells offers hope for better therapeutic outcomes in treating this deadly form of brain cancer.
The Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa – Current Understanding of the Host Immune System and New Perspectives
Authors: Kumi Asare Kwame
Published: June 2022

The bottlenecks in malaria infections affect malaria control and eradication programs. The gaps in the relationships between stages specific parasites molecules and their effects in the various stages of malaria development are unknown. The challenge hampers the wholesome understanding of policies and programs implemented to control and eliminate malaria infections in the endemic areas. Submicroscopic malaria and its transmission dynamisms are of interest in malaria control programs. The role of various stages of natural protective immunity in submicroscopic malaria infections and the insight into the collaborative role of antibodies from antigens for maintaining lower and submicroscopic malaria could provide a relevant guideline for vaccine developments. The chapter discusses the roles of mosquito and malaria antibodies in maintaining submicroscopic P. falciparum infection and its transmission potentials in malaria-endemic areas and the new perspectives on the inter-relatedness of stage-specific antibodies to improve malaria control programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Frequency of Dyslipidemia and Associated Risk Factors Among Obese Children and Adolescents in Turkey
Authors: Dündar İsmail , Akıncı Ayşehan
Published: June 2022

Background: The chronic inflammatory state that occurs in obesity causes metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, hepatosteatosis, and cardiovascular disorder. Dyslipidemia secondary to obesity, which is an important cause of morbidity, is a worldwide concern. Dyslipidemia has an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia in obese children and adolescents. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study included 1,136 obese patients. Fasting lipid, liver transaminases, glucose, and insulin levels were measured, and ultrasound scans (US) were performed. Other clinical assessments included waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, and the presence of acanthosis nigricans and striae. Results: Dyslipidemia was present in 644 (56.7%) cases. Puberty, high body mass index (BMI), increased waist-hip ratio, increased homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high uric acid, and acanthosis nigricans were found to be risk factors for dyslipidemia. Conclusions: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in obese children was high and increased with puberty. Therefore, obese children and adolescents should be closely monitored for dyslipidemia that predisposes them to adolescent CVD.
Un serpentement transcendantal... Fenomenologia e linguaggio nella riflessione di Jacques Garelli
Authors: Crivella Giuseppe ,   Chiasmi International
Published: June 2022

In this text we try to develop some considerations starting from the readings that Jacques Garelli elaborates through a profound reflection on the theses expounded by Merleau-Ponty in his latest works. In particular we, after recalling some points of contact between the two thinkers, comment on two long essays by Jacques Garelli dedicated to Rimbaud and Artaud. Through these re-readings we aim to highlight the novel characteristics that the author of Rythmes et mondes has managed to outline through an ever-greater study of the theses on language presented by Merleau-Ponty in his latest works.
‘Then’ and ‘now’ of mangrove time: the temporality of lived blackness in Octavia Butler’s Kindred
Authors: Sealey Kris ,   Chiasmi International
Published: June 2022

Using Octavia Butler’s Kindred as both ground and frame, this paper develops a notion of mangrove time as a way to think through how blackness is lived in the violent temporality of anti-blackness. Specifically, I want to suggest that, through the frame of mangrove time, an errant relationship between lived blackness and its black past inserts temporal possibility in and beyond the inertia of white supremacy’s violently anti-black temporality. In other words, contrary to Fanon’s proclamation that only black abjection is to be found in a return to the past of lived blackness, I show that, out of a mangroved conception of temporality, linkages to a black past becomes more than the ontological weight at the core of Fanon’s notion of a historico-racial schema. In foregrounding his own linkage to the past, Fanon’s historico-racial schema determines the past as fixed under the weight of an anti-black time. However, mangrove time recalls what is perhaps hastily forgotten under this schema, which is that, even as lived blackness arrives on the scene of an anti-black imaginary “too late”, it is still able to ‘time travel’ – to zigzag between present and past in a way that rescues lived blackness from the structural determination of its past. As mangroved, this temporality is still one of pain, amputation and fragmentation. But it is also one that opens up this temporality to “imaginative variability”.
Being in language: Merleau-Ponty’s ontological examinations of language at the Collège de France
Authors: Andén Lovisa ,   Chiasmi International
Published: June 2022

This article examines Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s ontological investigation of language in his recently published course notes Sur le problème de la parole of 1954. In the course notes, Merleau-Ponty approaches the relation between being and language: if our ontological thinking is thoroughly conditioned by the means of expression provided by our proper language, how are we then to understand its claims of universality? The article argues that the course notes elucidate the linguistic turn in Merleau-Ponty’s later ontology. In particular, this article stresses that the course notes show that Merleau-Ponty undertakes an ontological inquiry into language before his investment into Heidegger’s philosophy. Furthermore, the course notes elucidate the continuity between Merleau-Ponty’s earlier investigations into expression and the ontological inquiry into language in his later texts.
Cognitive Disabilities, Forms of Exclusion, and the Ethics of Social Interactions
Authors: Timpe Kevin ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2022

Cognitively disabled individuals have been marginalized by our larger culture; they’ve also been marginalized in philosophical discussions. This paper seeks to begin correcting this situation by examining how assumptions which shape our social interactions and expectations disadvantage individuals with a range of cognitive disabilities. After considering Rubella syndrome and autism in detail, I argue that we have a moral obligation to change how we approach social interactions with cognitively disabled individuals.
Imaginarios del turismo en el cine español
Authors:   Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Pujol Cristina
Published: June 2022

Ahora que viene el buen tiempo y algunas empezamos nuestro particular período de estivación, propongo realizar un recorrido sobre algunos cambios que se han producido en los discursos, las representaciones y los imaginarios culturales del turismo en el cambio de siglo en un contexto de crisis económica y climática, con la industria turística en el centro de los debates sobre el modelo español construido en el desarrollismo y consolidado durante la transición.