bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptance and choices of family planning methods of post- delivery women in a midwife obstetric unit in South Africa
Authors: Hoque A M , Buckus S , Hoque M
Published: October 2023

Background. The benefit of utilising reliable family planning (FP) is adequate birth spacing, reducing unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, and minimising the chances of preterm birth and babies of low birthweight.Objectives. To estimate the choices and acceptance rates of FP methods among HIV-positive women immediately after delivery, and the factors associated with acceptance.

Methods. A retrospective descriptive research design was implemented. All women who gave birth in a midwife obstetric unit (MOU) during January 2018 to December 2019 were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for acceptance of any and or double FP methods.

Results. A total of 1 442 women were included, and of these, the majority (93.4%) accepted any FP method. Double methods were accepted by 83% of women. The majority (84%) accepted injectable contraception. Only 7.1% accepted and inserted sub-dermal implants, and 7.2% intrauterine contraceptive devices. Women who did not initiate antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy were 65% (odds ratio (OR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15 - 0.78, p=0.011) less likely to accept any FP method compared with those who had >8 ANC visits. HIV-positive women with gestational age (GA) at delivery <32 weeks, were 81% (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08 - 0.45, p<0.001) were less likely to accept any FP method compared with those who delivered at term, and with GA at delivery 33 - 36 weeks the proportion was 48% (OR 0.52, 95% CI; 0.29 - 0.94, p=0.03) Similarly, HIV-positive women who had had stillbirths were 68% (OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.15 - 0.65, p=0.002) less likely to accept any FP method compared with those who had live births. Mothers who did not have ANC visits were 65% (OR=0.35, 95% CI; 0.16 - 076, p=0.008) and mothers who had HIV infection were 37% (OR=0.63, 95% CI; 0.42 - 0.93, p=0.022) less likely to accept double FP methods compared with those who had >8 ANC visits and were not infected with HIV, respectively.

Conclusion. Overall, high acceptance of FP was found among postpartum women. ANC, GA at delivery and having live births were significantly associated with acceptance of any FP and double FP methods of protection. Further prospective study is recommended to identify whether the acceptance of FP services in the postpartum period continues at such a high rate.
Mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge on aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children under 5 years in Engela District, Namibia
Authors: Bauleth M F , Mitonga H K , Pinehas L N
Published: October 2023

Background. Childhood diarrhoea remains a public health problem and is among the leading killers globally of children under 5 years. Even though most childhood diarrhoea episodes are mild, episodes can result in severe loss of fluids and dehydration, leading to severe health-related consequences and death. Most diarrhoea episodes in children under 5 are treated at home by parents/caregivers; therefore, their knowledge about the nutrition and management of diarrhoea in children is critically important.

Objective. To assess mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge of the aetiology, prevention and management of acute diarrhoea among children aged under 5 years with diarrhoea, in Ohangwena Region, Namibia.Method. A cross-sectional, non-interventional study was carried out from 17 January 2019 to 9 March 2019. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. T-tests and logistic regression were applied to determine the factors associated with knowledge.

Results. A total of 530 mothers/caregivers of children under 5 years responded to the study questionnaire. Of these, 29.4% were aged between 18 and 30 years, 79.8% were from rural areas, 46.4% had primary education and 16% were illiterate, 59.9% were single, 68.9% had access to information (owned a radio), and 93.2% had a low income of ~NAD200 - 2 000 per month. The majority, 64%, were categorised as having inadequate knowledge on the prevention and management of diarrhoea. In addition, significant associations were observed between knowledge and gender of mothers/caregivers, residential area, marital status, access to information and prevalence of diarrhoea (p<0.05).

Conclusion. This study identified the need to develop and intensify strategies that may improve mothers’/caregivers’ knowledge, such as health education, improved literacy and women’s empowerment for them to be able to prevent and manage diarrhoea among children under 5 years old.
L’Outaouais : entre région périphérique et région sous influence métropolitaine
Authors: Gauthier Mario , Chiasson Guy , Mévellec Anne
Published: October 2023

En 2019, l’Assemblée nationale du Québec a adopté une motion reconnaissant la
situation particulière de l’Outaouais. Notre objectif, dans ce texte, est d’expliquer la
raison d’être de ce statut particulier revendiqué par les acteurs régionaux de l’Outaouais.
Pour ce faire, nous montrons que ce statut est en partie une réponse au caractère hybride de
la région, que le modèle centre-périphérie ne peut totalement exprimer. La dynamique
métropolitaine créée par la capitale fédérale affecte profondément la répartition des
activités et des richesses sur le territoire régional. Le clivage existant entre un
Outaouais urbain et périurbain, et un Outaouais plus rural, a toutefois été récemment
« retravaillé » par une mobilisation régionale qui cherche au contraire à faire advenir une
communauté d’intérêts partagés. Le Front régional Outaouais (FRO) propose ainsi de dépasser
les clivages territoriaux par-delà les spécificités municipales, mais aussi d’adopter une
approche globale de développement dépassant les secteurs traditionnels de politiques
publiques.
Le comportement migratoire des jeunes et les régions éloignées
Authors: Gauthier Madeleine
Published: October 2023

Cette étude du comportement migratoire interrégional des jeunes porte
principalement sur les six régions du Québec dites « régions éloignées », quatre au nord du
Saint-Laurent et deux au sud-est. Elle se situe toutefois dans la dynamique migratoire de
l’ensemble de la province. Les principales données sont puisées dans les études
démographiques de l’Institut de la statistique du Québec, surtout celles de
l’année 2018-2019. La question de recherche est inspirée des travaux de Castells sur la
« société en réseaux » : dans un contexte où les moyens de communication physiques et
virtuels sont devenus plus performants, les migrations interrégionales des jeunes des
régions éloignées seraient-elles en voie de devenir des éléments positifs d’un circuit de
sociétés en réseaux. Quelles études à venir ces questions pourraient-elles
suggérer ?
Gouvernance minière et policy stories autour de la bauxite en Guinée
Authors: Bah Idiatou , Carrier Mario
Published: October 2023

Depuis 2010, la Guinée a entrepris des réformes minières axées sur une gouvernance multiniveaux du développement durable. Une série d’instruments de politiques publiques, dont la Zone économique spéciale et le Fonds de développement économique local, ont été déployés depuis 2017 dans la région bauxitique de Boké. Cependant, les conditions d’implantation de ces instruments demeurent problématiques, comme l’indiquent les policy stories qui révèlent des divergences entre les acteurs dans l’analyse de leurs fondements, de leur mise en oeuvre et de leurs finalités. Pourtant, selon le modèle des asymétries, ces policy stories démontrent dans leur contexte historique que, malgré les dysfonctionnements observés, les acteurs gouvernementaux, poussés par des pressions nationales et internationales, ont réussi progressivement à combler leur déficit en matière d’information et de légitimité afin de mettre en place une gouvernance interactive avec les acteurs non gouvernementaux et le secteur privé, s’acheminant ainsi vers un processus menant à un nouvel ordre négocié.
Régions en retard ou périphériques et entreprenariat : des variables-clés pour agir
Authors: Julien Pierre-André
Published: October 2023

De nombreuses études sur le développement territorial, recourant le plus souvent aux méthodes positivistes, ont été menées dans le but d’expliquer pourquoi on trouve des différences de dynamisme entre les régions périphériques et les autres, plus centrales. Les résultats, limités à trop peu de variables plus ou moins interdépendantes, ne convergent pas. À partir des données disponibles auprès des 97 municipalités régionales de comté (MRC) québécoises, nous revenons sur ces variables en les examinant sous quatre grandes dimensions socioéconomiques, de façon à mieux comprendre leur importance et leur complémentarité. Pour ce faire, nous recourons non seulement aux régressions quantitatives, mais aussi à des analyses qualitatives. Le tout est complété par une approche phénoménologique permettant de générer plusieurs variables complémentaires, ce qui donne finalement 15 variables socioéconomiques, une variable socioculturelle complexe et quatre variables spatiales, tout en ouvrant la porte à deux variables informelles.
Scientific Activity and Contribution of Voldemārs Dāle (1922–2008), Honorary Doctor of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, to the Development of Power Engineering
Authors: Avotiņa Austra
Published: October 2023

Honorary Doctor (Dr. h. c.) of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS), long-time leading researcher of the Institute of Physical Energetics, Professor Voldemārs Dāle (1922–2008) devoted his entire working life to science. The most important field of V. Dāle’s research was the use of mathematical methods and computer technology in the dynamic optimization of power engineering development. The main areas of his scientific work include planning and forecasting methods of power system development; research on development problems of the Latvian and Baltic energy systems; methods of mathematical modelling of power systems considering the environmental factors. A monograph on research results in the optimization of electrical network development published in 1964 written by a group of three scientists, including V. Dāle, received the State Prize of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (LSSR), which was awarded in 1965.
Early Engineers and Architects Born on the Territory of Present North Macedonia
Authors: B. Ladinski Vladimir
Published: October 2023

This article presents the initial results of the ongoing research into the early engineers and architects born in the past on the territory of present North Macedonia, who graduated before the establishment of the country on 2 August 1944, prior to the founding of the first Technical Faculty in Skopje in 1949. The majority of the identified engineers and architects were men who graduated within the interwar period from the Technical Faculty at the University of Belgrade (Serbia), founded in 1846. Women started entering engineering and architecture in the 1930s. Some of the early graduates pursued their professional careers elsewhere. Three graduates of Riga Polytechnic Institute (Latvia) were identified, who had their degrees recognized by the Technical Faculty in Belgrade, as well as one Serbian woman, an engineer, and an architect who briefly lived in Riga within the researched period. This study contributes to the history of engineering and architecture in North Macedonia.
The Phenomenon of Leningrad Military Museum in the first decades of the Soviet era
Authors: Anisimova Margarita Vyacheslavovna
Published: October 2023

After 1917, historical everyday life museums became widespread, but there were also projects of military everyday life museums, which are the subject of this article. In 1919–1927 in Petrograd (Leningrad) there was the Military museums Section of the People's Commissariat of Education. Its activities were aimed at conservation the military museum property and developing projects for the creation of a unified military museum, which involved the creation of an everyday life department. However, the proposed ideas were not timely, and the Section was dissolved. But already in 1930, the Military-historical-everyday life museum was organized in the Military department, which existed for 7 years, and then became part of the Artillery Museum. For the first time, the composition and activities of the Leningrad Military museums section are considered, whose employees were officers of the Imperial Russian Army, founders of regimental museums, military historians, archivists, writers, collectors who tried to save the memory of the First World War and contribute to the preservation of pre-revolutionary military history. The continuation of the development of these ideas falls on the 1930s due to the new generation of the military, who realized the importance of museumification of the historical and cultural heritage, and the creation of the Military-historical-everyday life museum. Based on the analysis of some exhibits introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, conclusions can be drawn about the features of the collections. Based on archival sources, the article analyzes how the history of museum work reflects sociocultural changes in the country.
Conflicting Interests of Trading Companies and Causes of the South African War, 1899-1902
Authors: Sapuntsov Andrey Leonidovich
Published: October 2023

The author examines the economic aspects of the South African colonial exploration by the Europeans in the representation of accumulated contradictions between business organizations, which ultimately became a cause of the 1899-1902 conflict. Based on the study of Dutch East India Company’s activities in this region, as well as the specifics of the settlement establishment by the British and Boers, attention is paid to the root causes of the disharmonious economic situation of the rivalling parties, taking place before the discovery of gold deposits in the Witwatersrand (1886). The changing regional supremacy of the Cape colony and the other British possessions, as well as Boer States (the Republic of South Africa – Transvaal and the Orange Free State) has been periodized. The factors of the 1899 armed conflict have been structured to reveal the conflicting interests of trading companies which had sought to monopolize the business for extraction of valuable mineral raw materials. The author concludes that the main reason for the South African War was the desire of British trading companies to gain access to rich gold deposits in the Boer-populated Transvaal and form a single English-based state in South Africa. In order to achieve such goal, the British tried their best at delaying peace initiatives of the Boers, putting forward various contradictory demands to them, using the armies of private companies to conduct raids and sabotaging the formation of a federal state in the region. We have discovered the preposterous look of the British pretext for the outbreak of war, based on the protection of the Boer states English-speaking population interests, which had been supposed to initiate an uprising. The South African War became not only a place, where new methods of warfare were applied, and a “black hole” for the UK budgetary expenditures, but also a profitable market for new types of weapons and military equipment, which allowed their manufacturers to make considerable profits.
Sulle tracce di un dibattito novecentesco in tema di servitù
Authors: Basile Raffaele
Published: October 2023

Abstract - The essay deals with a theme that, during the central period of the last century, was the object of a radical contrast of addresses, the one of the ‘reconstitution’ of extinct servitudes, and it shares the idea that the most significant law sources quoted concerning it would be suitable to certify the recurrence of the phenomenon (at least) till late antiquity.
Giuristi classici di origine ebraica nella scienza giuridica tedesca del XIX e della prima metà del XX secolo Trento, 6-7 ottobre 2022
Authors: D'Anneo Elisa , Incontro Filippo
Published: October 2023

Abstract - This report retraces the central passages of the conference Classical Jurists of Jewish Origin in German Legal Science in the Nineteenth and First Half of the Twentieth Century, organized by Fulvio Cortese and Luca Nogler of the University of Trent, two days of work in which the figure of Hugo Sinzheimer (1875-1945) and the jurists presented in the work, Jüdische Klassiker der Deutschen Rechtswissenschaft of 1938, were discussed. Scholars of public law, Roman law, labor law, as well as philosophy of law, morality and politics were confronted with the personalities and works of a selection of the jurists included in Sinzheimer's work.
La «calda» estate africana del 413 e la risposta normativa ravennate
Authors: Lanti Lorenzo
Published: October 2023

Abstract - The frequency and intensity of the number of constitutions promulgated by Honorius varied considerably during the twenty-eight years of his reign. The aim of this contribution is to analyse the leges promulgated in the year 413, with particular regard to the summer. It may be noted, in fact, that the African diocese monopolized the legislator's attention. Honorius promulgated measures on two issues: on the one hand, he dealt with the difficult coexistence between the possessores and the militia who, more and more frequently, asked to be hosted on the estates during the discharge of their duties; on the other hand, Ravenna’s concern was to eliminate any trace that could be attributed to the consul Heraclianus, author of an incursion into Italy in the summer of 413, with the declaration of hostis publicus and the rescissio actorum.
Ipotesi per una tutela «amministrativa» dei parchi pubblici nel diritto romano
Authors: Masuelli Saverio
Published: October 2023

Abstract - This paper firstly describes, though very briefly, the state of the studies and essays on general aspects of daily life in Roman age; among such studies, specific attention is given to how urban areas conceptually near to what we call nowadays “public parks” were conceived and enjoyed. To this regard, this paper explains the notion of “parco pubblico” (public park) that can be inferred both from the Italian (also in relation to the juridical usage) and from the Latin vocabulary (till Middle Age language), mostly in connection to specific uses of ‘hortus’. Then, the Roman notion is examined for what concerns its juridical relevance. Thus, the paper goes on by investigating the juridical regulations and a parallel defence that could be called administrative (concerning mainly penalties given by non-jurisdictional authorities) and judiciary in reference to such areas, and by showing how these aspects were at the origin entangled with divine law (in particular with the defence of sacred woods). Quite soon, namely already in the middle of the Republican age, as the conclusion of this paper shows, specific ways of defence in reference to the above mentioned areas can be found firstly inside the municipal body and then also in more general rules included in the Pretorian edict (mostly through interdicts), by such letting a specific town planning policy emerge, mostly from the middle of the Imperial age.
General theory of quantum holography based on two-photon Interference
Authors: Xu Yao-Kun , Sun Shi-Hai , Zeng Yao-Yuan , Yang Jun-Gang , Sheng Wei-Dong , Liu Wei-Tao ,   College of Electronic Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China,   School of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518100, China,   College of Sciences, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Published: October 2023

As a kind of quantum phenomenon, Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference is more robust against phase noise. Because of this feature, robust quantum holography emerges, through which wave function of interested photon can be retrieved according to HOM interference pattern. For better understanding and developing this method, we derive a theoretical framework of robust HOM holography. In the quantum holography scheme, test state and reference state interfere at beam splitter (BS). Then, degree of freedom (DOF) resolved detections (such as spatial resolved detection, temporal resolved detection or spectrum resolved detection) are used at the BS output ports, respectively. Based on the single photon detection results, the DOF resolved coincidence counts are postselected, producing interference patterns. The information of the test states is retrieved from the patterns. According to different test states and reference states, four combinations are analysed, including measuring the wave function of single photon state by using standard single photon state or coherent state and measuring the wave function of coherent state through using standard single photon state or coherent state. In all cases, information of the test states is reflected in normalized second-order correlation function or interference patterns in similar forms. Specially, the wave function of test states can be directly retrieved from the interference patterns, with no complex algorithm required. Besides, phase noise from environment has no influence on this kind quantum holography. Comparison between traditional holography and quantum holography is made and analysed.
A role for JAK2 in mediating cell surface GHR-PRLR interaction
Authors: Chen Chen , Jiang Jing , Rao Tejeshwar C. , Marquez Lago Tatiana T. , Frank Stuart J. , Leier André
Published: October 2023

Growth hormone (GH) receptor (GHR) and prolactin (PRL) receptor (PRLR) are transmembrane class I cytokine receptors that co-exist in various normal and cancerous cells. Both receptors respond to their associated ligands predominantly by activating the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathways, and both are also known to initiate receptor-specific JAK2-independent signaling. Together with their cognate ligands, these receptors have been associated with pro-tumorigenic effects in various cancers, including breast cancer (BC). Human GH is known to bind GHR and PRLR, while PRL can only bind PRLR. A growing body of work suggests that GHR and PRLR can form heteromers in BC cells, modulating GH signal transduction. However, the dynamics of PRLR and GHR on the plasma membrane and how these could affect their respective signaling still need to be understood.To this end, we set out to unravel the spatiotemporal dynamics of GHR and PRLR on the surface of human T47D breast cancer cells and γ2A-JAK2 cells. We applied direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) and quantified the colocalization and availability of both receptors on the plasma membrane at the nanometer scale at different time points following treatment with GH and PRL. In cells co-expressing GHR and PRLR, we surprisingly observed that not only GH but also PRL treatment induces a significant loss of surface GHR. In cells lacking PRLR or expressing a mutant PRLR deficient in JAK2 binding, we observed that GH induces downregulation of membrane-bound GHR, but PRL no longer induces loss of surface GHR. Colocalizations of GHR and PRLR were confirmed by proximity ligation (PL) assay.Our results suggest that PRLR-GHR interaction, direct or indirect, is indispensable for PRL-but not GH-induced loss of surface GHR and for both GH-induced and PRL-induced increase of surface PRLR, with potential consequences for downstream signaling. Furthermore, our results suggest that JAK2 binding via the receptor intracellular domain’s Box1 element is crucial for the observed regulation of one class I cytokine receptor’s cell surface availability via ligand-induced activation of another class I cytokine receptor. Our findings shed new light on the reciprocal and collective role that PRLR and GHR play in regulating cell signaling.
A step toward building a unified framework for managing AI bias
Authors: Rana Saadia Afzal , Azizul Zati Hakim , Awan Ali Afzal
Published: October 2023

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed living standards. However, AI’s efforts are being thwarted by concerns about the rise of biases and unfairness. The problem advocates strongly for a strategy for tackling potential biases. This article thoroughly evaluates existing knowledge to enhance fairness management, which will serve as a foundation for creating a unified framework to address any bias and its subsequent mitigation method throughout the AI development pipeline. We map the software development life cycle (SDLC), machine learning life cycle (MLLC) and cross industry standard process for data mining (CRISP-DM) together to have a general understanding of how phases in these development processes are related to each other. The map should benefit researchers from multiple technical backgrounds. Biases are categorised into three distinct classes; pre-existing, technical and emergent bias, and subsequently, three mitigation strategies; conceptual, empirical and technical, along with fairness management approaches; fairness sampling, learning and certification. The recommended practices for debias and overcoming challenges encountered further set directions for successfully establishing a unified framework.
In-vehicle network intrusion detection systems: a systematic survey of deep learning-based approaches
Authors: Luo Feng , Wang Jiajia , Zhang Xuan , Jiang Yifan , Li Zhihao , Luo Cheng
Published: October 2023

Developments in connected and autonomous vehicle technologies provide drivers with many convenience and safety benefits. Unfortunately, as connectivity and complexity within vehicles increase, more entry points or interfaces that may directly or indirectly access in-vehicle networks (IVNs) have been introduced, causing a massive rise in security risks. An intrusion detection system (IDS) is a practical method for controlling malicious attacks while guaranteeing real-time communication. Regarding the ever-evolving security attacks on IVNs, researchers have paid more attention to employing deep learning-based techniques to deal with privacy concerns and security threats in the IDS domain. Therefore, this article comprehensively reviews all existing deep IDS approaches on in-vehicle networks and conducts fine-grained classification based on applied deep network architecture. It investigates how deep-learning techniques are utilized to implement different IDS models for better performance and describe their possible contributions and limitations. Further compares and discusses the studied schemes concerning different facets, including input data strategy, benchmark datasets, classification technique, and evaluation criteria. Furthermore, the usage preferences of deep learning in IDS, the influence of the dataset, and the selection of feature segments are discussed to illuminate the main potential properties for designing. Finally, possible research directions for follow-up studies are provided.
Applications of boundary integral equations and homogenization for the numerical simulation of living tissues
Authors:   , Martínez Ávila Isabel Alejandra
Published: October 2023

Durante las ultimas décadas se ha logrado un enorme progreso en las aplicaciones biomédicas gracias a la capacidad de modelar y simular computacionalmente fenómenos complejos. De hecho, la derivación y análisis de modelos fisiológicos cada vez más realistas, así como métodos numéricos adecuados para resolverlos, ha permitido la identificación de variables relevantes y patrones de comportamiento con uso inmediato para médicos y especialistas biomédicos. La presente tesis propone modelos matemáticos y computacionales para estudiar fenómenos electrofisiológicos complejos a escala celular utilizando técnicas de ecuaciones integrales de frontera y homogeneización. Las aplicaciones específicas consideradas son la estimulación neural periférica y la electropermeabilización celular. Los métodos de homogeneización y análisis multiescala se utilizarán para obtener dos modelos de orden reducido: (a) una ecuación de cable no lineal para un axón mielinizado que considera la microestructura del mismo en tres dimensiones; y, (b) un modelo de bidominio no lineal en tres dimensiones, que describe el comportamiento macroscopico del potencial eléctrico en un manojo de axones mielinados. Para el proceso de electropermeabilización, aplicamos y desarrollamos un marco teórico para la resolución del fenómeno a escala celular en tres dimensiones usando la formulación integral de múltiples trazas junto a un esquema temporal semi-implícito. También presentamos un algoritmo numérico para simular el proceso.
A Case Series of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Progressing to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Lightning Phase
Authors: Kannan Rajkumar , Kumar Parimalam , Daniel Samuel Jeyaraj , Chandrasekhar Mayuri
Published: October 2023

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic, disfiguring, inflammatory skin disease characterised by erythematous, indurated, well-defined scaly plaques of varying sizes that resolve with atrophy, scarring, and pigmentary changes. Although discoid cutaneous lesions are typical of DLE, they are also seen in as many as 14% of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The aetiopathogenesis of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) is thought to be related to the same autoimmune abnormality responsible for the systemic components of LE. The key feature in the pathogenesis being upregulation of Interferon-α (IFN-α) signaling. Hence, the morphology and associated clinical features of DLE can be considered as a forerunner in assessing the development of SLE. This case series highlights some potential risk factors to watch out for in the progression to SLE in patients with DLE. Some parameters that are likely to predict early progression towards SLE from DLE are: early age at diagnosis (<25 years), female gender (2:1), Fitzpatrick skin type V and VI, presence of disseminated DLE lesions, arthralgia, anaemia (Hb-<10 g/dL), lymphopenia (lymphocyte count-<20%), isolated lesions at photoprotected sites, average disease duration ranging from 5.7 to 8 years, elevated ESR, high baseline ANA titres ≥1:320, anti-ds-DNA, anti-SS-A, and anti-Sm antibody positivity. Hence, assessment of the above-mentioned parameters in initial and follow-up visits might aid in the early diagnosis of SLE. This case series consists of four patients (33 years old female, 54 years old female,34 years old female and 49 years old male patients, all married), all of whom had multiple potential risk factors indicating rapid progression towards the development of systemic symptoms. Hence, this shifts the prior paradigm that DLE patients do not typically develop severe SLE. Risk score analysis may be a helpful tool in assessing ongoing subclinical inflammation and aiding in the early diagnosis of SLE. Appropriate therapeutic intervention could be key in stemming disease progression, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving the patient’s quality of life.
Pooled Sera as an Alternative to Commercial Internal Quality Control in Clinical Laboratories
Authors: Devi Anita , Negi Anjana
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Internal Quality Control (IQC) is run to assess the day-to-day performance of an analytical process, ensuring the reliability of patient results. However, commercial internal quality materials can be expensive and inaccessible for many laboratories. Therefore, there is a need for an effective and economical alternative to commercial IQC. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and stability of pooled sera as an IQC material. Materials and Methods: A laboratory study was conducted over a period of 50 days, from January 10 to February 28, 2023, in the Department of Biochemistry at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC), Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. Serum samples (150 μL) were collected from 100 leftover samples over a span of 10 days. The serum was thoroughly mixed and distributed into 75 aliquots. Commercial IQC was also reconstituted and distributed into 75 aliquots. Both the commercial and pooled sera IQC were stored at -20°C. One aliquot of pooled sera was analysed daily for 16 routine biochemistry parameters, along with the commercial IQC, for the entire 50-day period. The results from both materials were interpreted using L-J chart and Westgard multirule. The stability of pooled sera for these routine parameters was assessed by comparing the mean values of the biochemical parameters on day 1 and day 50. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software, and a paired t-test with a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The bias percentage for each pooled sera parameter was calculated and compared with the desirable bias for clinical significance. Results: Analytical errors were observed during the study period for Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), urea, sodium, potassium, and chloride. The nature and number of analytical errors observed with both materials were the same, with Westgard rule 13s detecting random errors for ALP and rule 22s detecting systematic errors for urea and serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride). Difference in the mean value of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and bilirubin, on day 1 and day 50 was statistically significant with p-values 0.035, 0.04, and 0.024, respectively. When these parameters were assessed for clinical bias, they were found to be clinically insignificant. Conclusion: Pooled serum is an effective and stable alternative IQC material for daily performance assessment of analytical processes. In-house IQC or pooled sera not only reduces the cost of quality control but also helps maintain continuity in the absence of commercial IQC, preventing any disruptions in the control system over an extended period.
Evaluation of Adverse Drug Reactions Due to Fixed-dose Combinations at a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Retrospective Study
Authors: Sonar Samiksha , Shah Samidh Pradipkumar Shah , Panchal Jigar R , Bachani Hetvi , Desai Chetna K
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The mushrooming of Fixed-dose Combinations (FDCs) has been observed in the past decade in the Indian market. The majority of these FDCs are irrational and put patient safety at risk. Aim: To evaluate Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) due to rational as well as irrational FDCs available in India. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study where recorded data of ADRs reported over a period of 10 years (January 2011-December 2021) at the Regional Training Centre and ADR Monitoring Centre (B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India) was analysed. The data evaluation was carried out from May 1, 2022, to December 15, 2022. Any ADR where FDC(s) was the suspected causal drug was included in the analysis. Out of a total of 8,218 reported ADRs in the ten-year duration, 1,575 ADRs were reported to have occurred due to FDCs. The data were analysed for age, gender, System Organ Class (SOC), suspected drug, seriousness of the ADRs, causality assessment, and outcome of ADRs, and presented in terms of numbers or percentages. Results: A total of 1,575 ADRs occurred due to 1,649 FDC(s). The most common SOC class of ADRs was Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in 359 (23%) cases, followed by skin and subcutaneous disorders in 317 (20%). The common suspected groups were Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs in 787 (50%) ADRs, followed by antitubercular drugs in 298 (19%). Out of a total of 1,649 FDCs as the suspected drug, 1,551 (94%) were rational, and 98 (6%) were irrational. A total of 169 (11%) serious ADRs were reported, of which seven ADRs were due to irrational FDCs (prescribed for cold and cough). Causality assessment using the World Health Organisation-Upsala Monitoring Centre (WHO UMC) classification showed a possible causal association with the suspect FDCs for 1,385 (84%) ADRs. Conclusion: FDCs contribute to a significant proportion of ADRs, which could be prevented by avoiding the use of irrational FDCs and monitoring the patients for the possible development of ADRs.
Evaluation of Protein Adsorption and Osseointegration Potential of Polyetheretherketone versus Titanium Dental Implants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Patil Seema , Gandhi Paresh , Kanitkar Aditi , Patil Rupali , Kalsekar Bhagyashree
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The success of implant therapy depends on a number of parameters, including bone volume implant shape, surface topography, the patient’s overall health, and local factors. Despite the fact that polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants have undergone a lot of alterations, only a small number of studies have examined the bioactivity and osseointegration of PEEK implants with titanium. Aim: To summarise and evaluate protein adsorption and osseointegration capacity of PEEK and titanium dental implants. Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used and PROSPERO (CRD42023415494) registration was done. Electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the outcome in terms of protein adsorption and osseointegration capacity of PEEK and titanium dental implants. Quality assessment of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: Depending on inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis. Risk of bias assessment revealed that all the included studies were largely comparable in methodological quality. All the included studies had moderate to low-risk of bias with all the respective domains. All the included studies revealed that PEEK with optimal surface roughness might hold great potential for protein adsorption and osseointegration capacity. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it was found that compared to titanium, PEEK is less osseoconductive and bioactive. PEEK is therefore unsuitable for use as a dental implant in its unmodified form. Implantitis and implant failure occurs from improper osseoconductivity and bioactivity of dental implants.
Berinde-Type Generalized \(\alpha\) - \(\beta\) - \(\psi\) Contractive Mappings in Partial Metric Spaces and Some Related Fixed Points
Authors: Tiwari Heeramani , Padmavati
Published: October 2023

Aims/ Objectives: The objective of this paper is to introduce the notion of generalized \(\alpha\) - \(\beta\) - \(\psi\) contractive mappings involving rational expressions and establish existence and uniqueness of fixed points of Berinde type generalized \(\alpha\) - \(\beta\) - \(\psi\) contractive mappings in the context of partial metric spaces. Additionally, we provide an example in support of our results.
Influence of Irrigation Scheduling on Weeds among Different Sowing Dates in Wheat under Vertisol
Authors: Gajbhiye Mrinali , Bhan Manish , Agrawal K. K. , Kumar Narendra
Published: October 2023

Wheat is an important cereal grain crop and is staple to millions. Weeds are the major constraint that lower the wheat yield. The knowledge of weeds under different sowing dates and Irrigation can assist in controlling weeds.  A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-21 at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, M.P. to study the influence of irrigation scheduling on weeds at different sowing dates in wheat. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The main plot consisted of three sowing dates, i.e., 3rd December, 18th December and 2nd January and four Irrigation Water/Cumulative Pan Evaporation (IW/CPE) based irrigation scheduling, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7 in the sub-plots. The results revealed that lowest weed density and dry weight were observed in 2nd January sown date, as compared to 3rd December and 18th December sown date. Among the irrigation schedules, 0.7 IW/CPE observed lowest weed density and dry weight than 1.0, 0.9, 0.8 IW/CPE ratio. 3rd December sown date exhibited highest grain yield (4637 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6788 kg ha-1) than 18th December and 2nd January sown date. Among the irrigation schedules, 1.0 IW/CPE ratio exhibited maximum grain yield (4510 kg ha-1) than 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7 IW/CPE ratio. The results of the study concludes that sowing dates and irrigation schedules had crucial role for controlling weeds.
Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Tomato Plant: Experimental and AI Modeling
Authors: Raj Shubham , Singh Uma Kant
Published: October 2023

Microplastics impacts on terrestrial ecosystem have gained attention in recent times, after about a decade of research being limited to aquatic systems. Although the impacts on soil physical characteristics and soil organisms are beginning to manifest, there is also a noticeable negative influence on plant growth and vitality. The Plant height, branches per plant, days to first fruit set, fruits per plant, fruit diameter, fruit weight (gm), and overall yield (q/hec) overall performances were explored. The tomato (Solanum lycoper­sicum Linn.) plant variety used in our study is Pusa ruby and the MPs used was Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Different experimental parameters were also varied like MPs weight percentage (2%-5%), Nitrogen content (0.05 % -0.15%), Carbon content (1.5 %-2%), C-N ratio (14-15) and Phosphorus content (65-75). Furthermore, numerical modeling using artificial neural network (ANN) for validating the experimental results demonstrated an overall R2 value > 0.99. Our results showed that overall yield of fruit was decreased and it has also effects on different plant morphological characteristics.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
A Probe into Shifts in Cropping Pattern in Telangana State, India: A Markov Chain Approach
Authors: Saritha Kotla , Baba Md. Ali , Devi D. A. Rajini , Babu K. Madhu
Published: October 2023

Assessing variations in cropping patterns across various locations is crucial for a better understanding of the agricultural development plan. The goal of the current study was to look at Telangana state's changing cropping patterns. Data spanning the years 2000-01 to 2020-21 were gathered from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Telangana and they were then evaluated using the Markov chain method. The research's key findings showed that none of the crops in Telangana kept their acreage; instead, the area devoted to each crop changed continually during the course of the study, from one crop to another. The area under crops other than cereals, major oil seeds, pulses has more retention while it lost area to rice, cotton, black gram, chillies, cow gram, ground nut, jowar and mesta. This indicated that there was greater shift in cropping pattern in Telangana State. The selection of crops holds immense potential to elevate agriculture to the forefront of property growth, and it should be a focal point in research and extension programmes.
Unveiling the Synergistic Impact of N & P Levels Alone and in Conjunction with Bio-Inoculants (Azotobacter and PSB) on Growth and Yield of Wheat
Authors: Gupta Harsh , Mishra U. S. , Sirothia Pawan , Mishra Ashutosh , Patel Veerendra Kumar , Rao Shikha
Published: October 2023

The experiment conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at Rajoula Agriculture Farm of Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, investigated the growth characteristics and yield attributes of wheat under various treatments. The experiment, utilizing a randomized block design with 3 replications and 13 treatments, including different levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and bio-inoculants (Azotobacter and PSB). The wheat variety RAJ-4238 was grown as test crop. Based on experimental findings result revealed significant effects on wheat growth and yield attributes. Notably, plant height (91.80 cm), tiller count/ plant (7.47), and spike number/plant (14.27) at different stages were significantly improved by specific treatments, with the treatment containing T10 (100% N & P + PSB + Azotobacter + 100% K) consistently producing the most favorable results. Moreover, yield attributes such as number of spikelets/plant (599), number of grains/plant (550), test weight (53.87 gm), straw yield (51.14 q/ha) and grain yield (38.33 q/ha) were all significantly influenced by the same treatment combination T10 (100% N & P + PSB + Azotobacter + 100% K). However harvest index (44.37 %) was significantly influenced by the treatment T12 (50% N & P + PSB + Azotobacter + 100% K). These findings emphasize the potential for tailored nutrient and bio-inoculant management practices to enhance wheat production in the region.
The Effect of Newbouldia laevis Root and Stem Bark Extract on Testosterone Induced Prostate Hyperplasia in Albino Rats
Authors: Bernard Kafor N. , Peter Achukwu U. , Vincent Agu K. , Godfrey Nnadi I. , Kelechi Madubuike G.
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant tumor of the prostate gland, common among the elderly men, and has been treated in the past with natural product of plant. Newbouldia laevis (N. laevis) is a medicinal plant that has been utilized in the treatment of various diseases but not prostate tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic impact of Newbouldia laevis root and stem bark extract on testosterone induced prostate hyperplasia in albino rats.

Experimental Procedure: Twenty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups (N=5): HA (Negative control), HB (model hyperplasia), HC (high dose extract treatment), and HD (low dose extract treatment). The experimental animals were induced for BPH, and thereafter treated with 1000 mg/ kg body weight (HC) and 500 mg/kg body weight (HD). Samples were collected from the animals for experimental analysis.

Results and Conclusion: There was significant increase in prostate index, epithelial proliferation, PAS positivity, Ki67 expression, serum IL-6, total protein and testosterone in the model hyperplasia group. All these recorded changes are significantly (P<0.05) reversed among Newbouldia laevis extract treated groups. GCMS analysis of the plant extract revealed important bioactive substances including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents. Toxicity study revealed an oral lethal dose of over 5000 mg/kg body weight. This study shows that N. laevis root - stem extract has the propensity to alleviate prostate tumors possibly through anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, and serum testosterone down regulation mechanisms.
Death receptor 5 promotes tumor progression in gastric cancer
Authors: Chen Junbing , Li Lin , Huangfu Longtao , Du Hong , Ji Xin , Xing Xiaofang , Ji Jiafu
Published: October 2023

Death receptor 5 (DR5) can inhibit malignant proliferation via tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)‐induced apoptosis in many cancers. Here we examined the expression and sublocalization of DR5 in gastric cancer, as well as its effects on clinical prognosis and cellular processes. Our analysis included a cohort of 240 gastric cancer patients. Bioinformatic analysis showed a significant correlation between DR5 and DNA replication, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and tumor stemness. Unlike death receptor 4 (DR4TRAIL‐R1), DR5 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and was found to be positively correlated with lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Patients with positive DR5 had worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.006). The multivariate Cox model showed that DR5 is an independent poor prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 1.693). Furthermore, knockdown of DR5 inhibited aggressive behaviors, including proliferation and metastasis in gastric cancer cells, and inhibited lung metastasis in vivo. In summary, nuclear localization of DR5 expression is a poor prognosis factor in gastric cancer and promotes growth, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.