bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the K-Means Clustering Algorithm Oriented to Big Data Environments
Authors: Pérez Ortega Joaquín , Almanza Ortega Nelva Nely , Vega Villalobos Andrea , Aguirre L. Marco A. , Zavala Díaz Crispín , Ortiz Hernandez Javier , Hernández Gómez Antonio
Published: September 2020

In recent years, the amount of texts in natural language, in digital format, has had an impressive increase. To obtain useful information from a large volume of data, new specialized techniques and efficient algorithms are required. Text mining consists of extracting meaningful patterns from texts; one of the basic approaches is clustering. The most used clustering algorithm is k-means. This chapter proposes an improvement of the k-means algorithm in the convergence step; the process stops whenever the number of objects that change their assigned cluster in the current iteration is bigger than the ones that changed in the previous iteration. Experimental results showed a reduction in execution time up to 93%. It is remarkable that, in general, better results are obtained when the volume of the text increase, particularly in those texts within big data environments.
Location Extraction to Inform a Spanish-Speaking Community About Traffic Incidents
Authors: Requejo Flores Alejandro , Ruiz Alejandro , Mar Ricardo , Porras Raúl
Published: September 2020

Around the world, cities suffer from a large variety of problems. One of them is urban mobility, and the most common cause is related to traffic incidents, which unexpectedly provoke delays to people and produce losses to businesses. Through natural-language-processing methods, this chapter proposes a way to inform people about events that could have happened on the road. The proposed application takes information from news reports (published by a local newspaper) that have been previously classified as 'traffic incidents'; the app tries to extract the location where these events occurred. These data are then served on a web application, which shows a map that marks all the recent incidents. In this way, the authors offer an alternative to allow citizens to be informed about this kind of event so they can take preventive actions.
When Is It a Good Fit to Apply the Scrum Approach to Project Management
Authors: Chen Edward T.
Published: September 2020

This chapter discusses how the method selected to manage a project can play a role in the success of that project. Certain projects are better suited to particular models of project management. The traditional, or “waterfall,” approach; the agile approach; and a more refined agile approach known as Scrum, which will be evaluated. The Scrum approach to project management is gaining a lot of momentum in recent years but all projects may not be well suited for this method. By analyzing the different styles of project management, a discussion of the benefits and pitfalls of each approach will be completed as well as how those characteristics may contribute to risks. An examination of project types, project roles, and project management experience will be completed to provide insight for when the Scrum approach to project management is most appropriate to contribute to the overall success of a project and when it may be best to apply a different management style.
Applications of the Elementary Theory of Catastrophes in Aviation
Authors: Bondar Olha
Published: September 2020

In this chapter, the author considers the connection between the mathematical theory of catastrophes and certain characteristics of the aviation system. The basis for this connection is the similarity of the concept of “catastrophe” in aviation and mathematics. With small perturbations of some systems, their state changes little. At small perturbations of other systems, a sharp transition occurs to another state. This transition is called a jump or a catastrophe. A catastrophe can also be called a loss of stability. Comparison of the notion of “stability” in aviation and mathematics is part of this study. The mathematical representation of the simplest aviation systems and their disasters is shown in elementary examples. It does not use a deep mathematical apparatus as well as special studies of aviation systems. The aim of the work is to direct the aviation specialist's eye to the mathematical theory of catastrophes, and to direct the mathematician's attention to the problems of aviation safety.
Software-Defined Networking in Aviation
Authors: Odarchenko Roman
Published: September 2020

Aviation telecommunications is one of the main means of providing guidance to civil aviation and air traffic control. Proper organization of communication is one of the main conditions for ensuring the safety and regularity of aircraft operations as well as the production activities of enterprises and civil aviation organizations. The new networks will focus on significantly improving the quality of service. The basis for their construction will form SDN networks. Therefore, the chapter analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of two SDN implementing methods. It was developed the mathematical method to assess their complex effectiveness, which considers QoS requirements of implementing service through special weights for scalability, performance, and packet delay. There were simulations of overlay networks by using soft switches to verify the adequacy of the proposed method. The results showed that the use of SDN networks more efficiently by using IP networks for large volumes of traffic and with a large amount of network equipment.
Guidance Algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles on a Basis System of Technical Viewing
Authors: Pikenin Oleksii , Marynoshenko Oleksander
Published: September 2020

The chapter considers a description of developed control system for a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that has a software capable to continue the flight in case of failures by using alternative control algorithms. Control system is developed on vision system by using methods of image recognition. Grouped coordinated flight of UAVs can significantly improve the performance of surveillance processes, such as reconnaissance, image recognition, aerial photography, industrial and environmental monitoring, etc. But to control a group of UAVs is a quite difficult task. In this chapter, the authors propose a model that corresponds to the principle of construction by the leading UAVs. In the case of using this model, the parameters of the system motion are determined by the direction of motion, the speed, and the acceleration of the UAVs' driving. The control system based on the methods of image recognition expands the possibilities of coordinating the group of UAVs.
Aeronautical Impact of Epoxy/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: September 2020

Epoxy resin has been employed as an important matrix for aerospace composite and nanocomposite. In this chapter, latent and essential features of carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofiller have been considered with reference to aeronautical application. Consequently, epoxy/carbon nanotube nanocomposite are conversed here for space competency. Inclusion of CNT in epoxy resin affected the prerequisite features of space nanocomposite. Dispersion of nanotube has been altered using suitable processing technique. Uniform nanotube network formation affects mechanical, electrical, and other physical properties of nanocomposite. Key application areas in this regard are flame and thermal stability, strength, lightning strike resistance, and radiation shielding of space vehicles. Further investigations to optimize structure and properties of multiscale epoxy/CNT nanocomposite are needed for future success in the field. Hence, towards the end, challenges and future prospects of epoxy/CNT nanocomposite have also been deliberated for the improvement of nanomaterial properties for aerospace relevance.
The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Erceg Aleksandar , Kilic Zafer
Published: September 2020

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are present in our lives, and although they are mostly connected to military purposes, they are becoming more present in the commercial and civilian sector. Possible applications of UAVs in the commercial and civilian sector will open new possibilities for further research and development of UAVs. This movement can bring new investment and new jobs, but at the same time, it will influence the way some activities are being done now. The use of UAVs brings savings in the production cycles and improve current operations in various industrial sectors. The chapter gives a definition and explains different types and potential applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in the word as well as the potential economic impact of their development and use. In the second part, the chapter analyzes the application of drones in Turkey and Croatia. Although different in terms of their size and the number of inhabitants, both countries are at the same level in relation to UAV application. Applications in both countries are compared, and after that, a conclusion is drawn.
The Saga of Middle East Airlines (MEA) in War and in Peace
Authors: Bardawil Abdo B. , Zgheib Philippe W.
Published: September 2020

The pragmatic attitude of MEA management in meeting the crises that plagued its existence was only matched by a dogmatic determination that its planes must, under all circumstances, keep the immortal Cedar of Lebanon, which adorns its wings, continually and proudly roaming the skies. The fact that MEA has now recovered, survived, and prospered crowns its management decisions as best business practices. These practices include adaptability and change through organization transformation mode, using change interventions in its vision, structure, culture, skills, and procedures in many of its departments, such as the human resources, employee benefits, the recruitment and training departments affecting all of its employees. Events in open-system organizations such as MEA exist at equilibrium in a field of conflicting forces. Changes in the environment will consequently put pressure on such organizations causing a shift in the state of equilibrium.
Structural Redesign of Pilot Training and the Automated Aircraft
Authors: Petitt Karlene
Published: September 2020

Flight skill loss due to the overuse of automation has become an industry concern. Aircraft accidents have been attributed to pilots' inability to manage their aircraft in manual flight resulting from unexpected changes in automation and loss of situation awareness. While aviation experts have associated these accidents to diminished stick and rudder skills from the overuse of automation, the problem may be attributed to how pilots are trained in automated aircraft. The FAA has encouraged pilots to manually fly to improve skills; however, limited opportunities for manual flight exist in the current international environment, with potentially less opportunities in the future due to NextGen compliance. A critical view of pilot training identifies how airlines could train pilots in modern day aircraft to maximize safety. The benefit of computer-based training to teach operating procedures, fixed based simulators versus level D full flight simulators, redesigning training programs to improve pilots' understanding through cognitive load theory, and the power of repetition will be addressed.
Autonomous Vehicle in Industrial Logistics Application
Authors: Julius Fusic S.  , Kanagaraj G.  , Hariharan K.
Published: September 2020

Rapid technological advances have revolutionized the industrial sector. In the global market, it is necessary to consider the new paradigm of Industry 4.0 that presents a lot of features in the industrial logistics application. It has been seen through literature that innovation management practices enable companies to compete within the autonomous and connected vehicle market and is considered as an emerging and competitive differentiator towards the growth of the product and that of meeting customer demands within the changing markets. The first case study explores the integration of GPS and GLONASS signals in AGV for localization and navigation of customer destination and materials in the indoor and outdoor environment. The second case study implemented in obstacle environment that recognized the obstacle in front of the robot and also identified the dimension of the obstacle size, length, width, circumference, height, and distance from a robot. The strength and disadvantages of the system are discussed in the logistical application and future outlines are provided.
Loyalty Programme and Meta-Services
Authors: Léo Pierre-Yves , Janawade Vikrant , Philippe Jean
Published: September 2020

This research focuses on the customers' perception of loyalty programme offered by networked service providers such as airline alliances. The authors call such services meta-services. Their main hypothesis is that after experiencing meta-services delivered by meta-service providers, consumers synthesise a part of their perceptions in terms of the perceived benefits of the loyalty programme. This assessment will influence the perceived value, satisfaction, and at last behavioural intentions. The authors' point of view is to highlight the determinants of this assessment, including the quality of the proposed services and rewards. A quantitative survey was conducted in an airline alliance context. A structural equation model is tested in order to verify if the hypotheses are acceptable. It also shows how passengers build their global evaluation of a frequent flyer program and how far it influences their future behaviour towards the alliance members.
An Empirical Analysis of Delhi - Mumbai Sector Flight Fares
Authors: Godwin T.
Published: September 2020

Revenue management is the art and science of making the right product or service available to the right customer at the right time through the right channel at right price. Dynamic pricing plays a crucial role in the implementation of revenue management in passenger airline reservation system. The liberalization of domestic aviation sector in countries such as India has seen many new market entrants resulting in higher competition while setting the flight fares. The variation in flight fares of Delhi – Mumbai passenger airline sector is studied for a departure date based on the number of days in advance the booking is made. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of the fares reveal the impact of airlines, booking channels and departure time windows on the pricing decisions of flight fares. The analysis framework of this study could be used as a basis for a continuous tracking study of flight fares by airline revenue managers to help them arrive at the right fare for each fare class of a flight.
Perceived Quality of an Intermediary and Its Relations with Image and Perceived Value
Authors: Janawade Vikrant
Published: September 2020

Whilst globalisation has offered a fertile ground for businesses to offer several services from all sides of the compass, it appears that this landscape has attracted new avenues for service provisions and transactions. All these aspects have resulted in dramatic shift in consumers' purchase decision making process. This research presents some insights of customers' perception of quality offered by intermediaries working in networked environments. The principal hypotheses are that, after experiencing services delivered by an intermediary, customers synthesise their perceptions, in terms of the quality perceived. Furthermore, this assessment will determine its image and the perceived value. A quantitative survey was conducted in an airline alliance context, to verify if the hypotheses are acceptable. A structural equation modelling tested using the PLS-SEM method demonstrates the influence of alliance wide perceived quality on airline alliances' image and perceived value.
Advancing the Case for Indigenous Education in Multidisciplinary Contexts
Authors: Celestin Cynthia Juliana , Tyson-Noel Lynette G.
Published: September 2020

This chapter addresses the situation where the traditional approach to education involves using foreign concepts and practices to the exclusion of authentic indigenous ideas. The history of Trinidad and Tobago and many islands of the Caribbean includes the rich cultural experiences of the original inhabitants. The authors propose that these cultural artifacts are genuine sources that can be used effectively as instructional approaches in multidisciplinary contexts. To further develop this argument, the researchers explore the concept of indigenous education as opposed to traditional education exemplified by apprenticeship, mentorship, and internship. They cite examples from educators in the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Australia, where indigenous practices are implemented and valued. Key concepts of inclusion, international collaboration, and multidisciplinary perspectives enhanced by digital technologies, underscore this innovative thrust in education. To balance their argument, the authors discuss relevant challenges and suggest ways for minimizing them. The formulation of the Innovative Initiative is framed by the theories and works of Bethel, Bronfenbrenner, Chesney and Bristol, Fullan, Gay, Ladson-Billings, Smith, Vygotsky, and Caribbean researchers such as Craig and Joseph. The chapter concludes with a call for the sustainability of indigenous educational practices as an important thrust in 21st century education and development.
Marketing and Advertisement in Cross-Border E-Commerce
Authors: Alam Mohammad Zahedul
Published: September 2020

Recently, cross-border e-commerce has been growing rapidly among the developed and developing countries. Marketing managers design marketing and advertising strategies targeted to local and across the country. Companies need to develop separate marketing programs for different country and diverse cultural context. In this chapter, the authors discuss cross-border e-commerce, its development, the advertisement and marketing strategies, policies, and programs that are applicable to the arena of cross-border e-commerce. However, advances in communication technologies, transportation, and other technological advances have made the world a much smaller place. To survive in the competitive business environment today, companies need to make their products and services available online as well as offline. Major technological advances including the explosion of the internet have had a major impact on buyers and the marketers who serve them. To thrive in this new digital age—even to survive—marketers must rethink their strategies and adapt them to today's new environment.
Managing Human Resources in E-Commerce
Authors: Rezwan Roksana Binte
Published: September 2020

Human resources are the driving force and source of the core competitive advantage of any business. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss how human resource management (HRM) practices and human resource (HR) strategies are formulated and utilized in the context of e-commerce firms. When discussing e-commerce, relatively less attention is paid to HRM-related issues. However, analyzing, carefully, both the successful start-ups (i.e., Dollar Shave Club and Warby Parker) and e-commerce giants (i.e., Amazon and Alibaba) treat HRM as a critical success factor. Because business success depends on the careful integration of HRM strategies with business requirements and strategies. In this chapter, the different HRM practices and strategies adopted by different e-commerce firms will be discussed.
A South African Legal Perspective on the Regulation of Net Neutrality and Its Implications for Cyber-Security and Cyber-Warfare
Authors: Ramluckan Trishana
Published: September 2020

With the approval of Articles 11 and 13 in Europe, net neutrality has become a contentious issue globally. These articles refer to European Union (EU) copyright law, which could possibly destroy the freedom of the internet that once existed. Throughout Europe it has become known as the “meme ban,” referring to the censorship elements. While there is much opposition to these articles, its supporters consider it necessary for the preservation for creative works online. Opposition to the legislation, which includes certain websites and internet presences, remains of the opinion that these two pieces of legislation will mean an end to “meme culture and user-generated content.” Along with the limitation to the freedom of the internet, cyber-security and cyber-warfare risks and vulnerabilities are imminent. This paper seeks to provide an in-depth discussion on the implications of neutrality on cyber-security and cyber-warfare.
A Conceptual Framework for Collaboration in Business Schools
Authors: Leon Steven , Medlin B. Dawn
Published: September 2020

Collaboration partnerships within higher education have been shown to enhance educational experiences for students and excite faculty who have the opportunity to innovative in their classrooms. Additional benefits for students include meaningful participation in group or team assignments that will prepare them for significant and successful participation as a member of a global workforce. While many organizations realize the advantages of a cross-disciplinary approach, business schools have been slow to adopt this mindset. Using the two business majors of supply chain management and computer information systems that are meeting a 21st century skillset of technology knowledge and information transfer, this paper addresses the need for collaboration in business schools and proposes a conceptual framework to assist business schools as they consider their collaboration efforts.
A Closer Look at Direct Carrier Billing
Authors: López Lorena Herrera
Published: September 2020

The impulse to digitalization by telecom operators requires the commercialization of over-the-top services (OTT) based on the fine understanding and prediction of customer behaviour through pattern recognition involving big data, resulting in an essential part of web analytics and digital marketing. The objective of this research is to analyse factors influencing the purchase and use of a mobile game commercialized by a mobile network operator (MNO), through different digital marketing channels and using direct carrier billing (DCB) as payment channel. The novelty contribution of this study is twofold. Firstly, it assesses determinants related to the purchase and use of a mobile service through the analysis of variables identified in the scientific literature's review. In addition, it also incorporates a set of variables based on data retrieved from big data analytics. Secondly, this research analyses the willingness of consumers to pay through DCB.
Deep Learning-Based Classification of Customers Towards Online Purchase Behaviour
Authors: Sarkar Juin Ghosh , Mukherjee Tuhin , Lahiri Isita
Published: September 2020

Online shopping is the new trend and is quickly becoming an integral part of our lifestyle. Due to the internet revolution and massive e-commerce usage by traders, online shopping has seen mammoth growth in recent years. In today's intensely competitive and dynamic environment with technological innovation in every sphere, knowing the consumer mind is the most daunting task for the success of any business. In this backdrop, the researchers have developed a neural network model. They have also made an attempt to classify the customers into two disjoint classes that are interested and uninterested online customers regarding purchase of home appliances through internet in and around Kolkata based on five demographic attributes, namely age, gender, place of residence, occupation, and income. The paper also focuses to optimise the parameters of the proposed neural network and test the efficiency of the constructed model and compare the result by reviewing the existing literatures on the related topic.
GA-SMLR-Based QSAR Modeling and Molecular Docking Studies of Bisamidine Derivatives as NMT Inhibitors
Authors: Dabade Sapna Jain , Mandloi Dheeraj , Bajaj Amritlal V. , Dhingra Naveen
Published: September 2020

The present investigation deals with a combination of genetic algorithm-stepwise multiple linear regression (GA-SMLR)-based QSAR modeling and molecular docking applied to bisamidine analogues in an attempt to explore their role as novel NMT inhibitors of Candida albicans. In this regard, 43 bisamidine analogues were investigated for the development of mathematical models. The robustness of the proposed QSAR model was not only ascertained through traditionally used internal and external validation statistical parameters (Q2= 0.740, R2 = 0.819, R_Pred^2 = 0.636) but also through various R_(m)^2 metrics proposed by Roy and Mitra. The descriptors recognized in the QSAR analysis have culminated a significant role of atomic van der Waals volume, topology, nature of bond and dipole moment to modulate the antifungal activity of compounds under investigation. The most active compound revealed enhanced binding potency with MolDock score of -183.451 kcal/mol and displayed hydrogen bond interactions with active amino acids Leu177, Thr211, Tyr225, and IIe111 of NMT.
Performance Appraisal Systems and Their Impact on Employee Performance
Authors: Chahar Bhawna
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between employee performance appraisal systems, employee motivation, and employee job performance. A cross-sectional survey of 393 employees of an Indian service organization showed that the performance appraisal system has a direct impact on employee job performance, and that this impact is moderated by the employee's motivation. Respondents were asked about 36 appraisal system, performance, and motivation attributes. Implications of the findings for the future research directions and practice are discussed.
Building a Critical Mass of Users for Digital Healthcare Promotion Programs
Authors: Naidoo Rennie
Published: September 2020

Despite recent technological advancements, the slow adoption pattern of digital healthcare promotion programs continues to be a major problem plaguing many healthcare organizations today. The historical teaching case study is indispensable in improving our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of contemporary digital healthcare promotion programs. This historical teaching case presents information about e-health, the e-commerce unit of a large multinational healthcare insurance company. The teaching case shows how despite e-health's ability to persuade a large registered base of users to trial its healthcare promotion programs, over 90% of these registrants discontinued use after a short trial period of using the technology. This historical teaching case focuses on the social challenges involved in persuading users to adopt and continue using e-health's major healthcare promotion innovation: an online nutrition center. Despite extensive promotions and the use of incentives, less than 10% of the user base adopted and continued to use this healthcare promotion innovation. The case reports on the discontinuance among digital healthcare promotion users despite the intensive efforts to retain them. Students and practitioners will gain insight into the key social challenges involved in achieving a critical mass of users for digital healthcare promotion innovations. The teaching case requires important decisions to be made by students and practitioners about present digital healthcare promotion programs by drawing on inferences from past digital healthcare promotion programs. Finally, this historical teaching case study makes a convincing case for the value of historical insights in informing present day challenges facing contemporary digital healthcare promotion programs.
Technology Entrepreneurship of Large State-Owned Firms in Emerging Economies
Authors: Ge Jing , Sun Hongxia , Chen Yong
Published: September 2020

Firms in emerging economies face greater resource constraints and higher levels of firm informality than those in developed economies. Particularly, large state-owned firms struggle for survival when encountering intense competition in the changing domestic markets and the global market. Technology entrepreneurship is proved an effective approach for these firms to gain competitive advantages. However, because large firms are less innovative and less adaptable, they often fail in technology entrepreneurship. As such, this article proposes a four-step scheme for large state-owned firms to develop technology entrepreneurship strategies and to implement entrepreneurial activities. A case study of the FAW Group Corporation, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, is conducted to elaborate the proposed scheme.
A Survey on Contactless Smart Cards and Payment System
Authors: Gupta Brij B. , Narayan Shaifali
Published: September 2020

In recent years, contactless transactions have risen rapidly. It includes NFC, MST, contactless cards, and many other payment methods. These payment methods have certain security issues, and attackers are in a regular search for the exploits to break its security. These security issues require proper analysis to secure user data from attackers. This article will discuss the contactless smart cards and payment systems in detail including the techniques used for securing user data and different possible attacks on the technology used for communication. The article also presents some countermeasures to prevent the attack and issues with those countermeasures. In addition, the article includes some future research issues and suggestions to overcome the security issues in contactless payment system.
Hospital treatment of severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in COVID-19 situation: back to basics
Authors: Upadhya Pratap , Vadala Rohit , A Arpitha
Published: September 2020

Patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during COVID-19 pandemic have higher morbidity. Treatment of these patients require aerosolization procedures like nebulization and noninvasive modalities for ventilation like non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC). Role of these procedures in corona virus transmission when treating a case of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be further studied.
Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic
Authors: Kovesdy Csaba P , Furth Susan , Zoccali Carmine
Published: September 2020

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic, and its prevalence has been projected to grow by 40% in the next decade. This increasing prevalence has implications for the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and also for Chronic Kidney Disease. A high body mass index is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset Chronic Kidney Disease. In individuals affected by obesity, a compensatory hyperfiltration occurs to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the increased body weight. The increase in intraglomerular pressure can damage the kidneys and raise the risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease in the long-term. The incidence of obesity-related glomerulopathy has increased ten-fold in recent years. Obesity has also been shown to be a risk factor for nephrolithiasis, and for a number of malignancies including kidney cancer. This year the World Kidney Day promotes education on the harmful consequences of obesity and its association with kidney disease, advocating healthy lifestyle and health policy measures that makes preventive behaviors an affordable option.
Bipolar disorder: an overview
Authors: Bronkhorst Elmien , Motubatse Jean
Published: September 2020

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic disorder characterised by abnormal mood changes and fluctuation in energy levels. The disease is characterised by a depressive episode, which can last up to a few months, and include low energy levels, hypersomnia, cognitive impairments, decreased sexual desire, carbohydrate craving, and weight gain. Conversely, bipolar disorder also has a stage of exhilaration and excitement, which can be classified as a manic episode. The typical presentation of these episodes of mania includes high energy hallucinations and delusions, sleep deprivation, fast speech and a constant need to be active. Risk factors that contribute to development of BD include the use of cannabis, influenza during the third trimester of pregnancy, as well as smoking during pregnancy, the use of cocaine, opioids, tranquilisers, stimulants and sedatives during pregnancy, and regular substance use during a period of a year. Parental loss before the age of five, war trauma and stress, as well as traumatic head injury may influence the condition.

Clinical criteria are the mainstay of diagnosis of BD. Differentiating features, which were found to be related to BD, include early age of onset, family history, atypical features and mixed symptoms. Screening tools like the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) have shown the ability to differentiate BD from major depressive disorder (MDD).

Treatment differs between the different phases of BD, but lithium can be considered as initial monotherapy, since it is effective against manic, depressive and mixed relapses, and has shown better evidence for prevention of new episodes. It is also associated with a reduced risk of suicide and self-harm in BD patients.
The medical management of glaucoma
Authors: Marais André , Osuch Elzbieta
Published: September 2020

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The main characteristic features include optic disc cupping, visual field loss, and in most instances a raised intraocular pressure. Primary open angle glaucoma accounts for nearly two thirds of all cases, while angle closure glaucoma contributes the majority of the remainder. Screening for glaucoma is not cost-effective, and diagnosis of the primary open angle type is usually an incidental finding during ophthalmological examination. Various treatment options, including medical and surgical interventions are accessible in the management of glaucoma. This article contains a brief description on the pathophysiology and focuses on the pharmacological options available in the treatment of glaucoma.
Anaemia - a pale ale?
Authors: Muntingh George L , Viljoen M
Published: September 2020

Despite some modest improvements described recently, anaemia remains a significant global public health concern affecting both developed and developing countries. It affects a quarter of the global population, including 293 million (47%) children who are younger than five years of age. A prevalence of 42% and 30% has been described in pregnant and non-pregnant women, respectively. Children and women of reproductive age are at high risk, partly because of physiological vulnerability, followed by the elderly. Africa and Asia are the most heavily affected regions, accounting for 85% of the absolute anaemia burden in highrisk groups. According to the World Health Organization global database on anaemia (1993–2005), this disorder was considered to be a moderate public health problem in South African preschool children, pregnant women and non-pregnant women of reproductive age.

There has been an increased awareness of anaemia and its consequences on the health and development of women and children in the past few decades. The many underlying causes of the various types of anaemia seen in general practice means it is essential that practitioners’ clinical decisions be underpinned by a sound knowledge of the pathological processes involved. Thorough history-taking will guide practitioners to request specific tests to confirm or refute differential diagnoses. Management must be developed around the specific type of anaemia and the potential physical and psychological effects it may have on the individual.
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus — hepatitis B virus co-infection amongst adult patients in Mahalapye, Ngami, Serowe, Botswana: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Mandiwana Azhani , Tshitenge Stephane
Published: September 2020

Background: About 37 million people are living with human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV) worldwide, with 2.6 million co-infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV infection causes 650 000 deaths annually worldwide. Botswana has a high prevalence of HIV and a growing population of patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV–HBV co-infection amongst HAART eligible adult patients in some rural settings in Botswana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst HAART eligible adult patients at 15 HAART clinics in the Mahalapye, Ngami and Serowe Health Districts of Botswana, from August to October 2015. A total of 132 were recruited; of these 118 consented and were tested for HBsAg reactivity using Elisa.

Results: Six (5.1%, 6/118) patients from the three rural health districts were HIV–HBV co-infected, with three in the 20–29 age group. The association between sex and HIV–HBV co-infection status was not statistically significant; p = 1.00.

Conclusion: The finding of 5.1% HIV–HBV co-infection prevalence in some rural settings of Botswana was similar to results from one study conducted in a Botswana urban centre, while another previous similar study reported prevalence as being twice as high. This finding may call for prioritisation of pre-HAART HBV screening and early HAART initiation for all HIV-infected patients.

(Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp)

S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1272230
Maintaining euthyroidism: fundamentals of thyroid hormone physiology, iodine metabolism and hypothyroidism
Authors: Wolmarans De Wet
Published: September 2020

Thyroid-related pathologies, especially subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism, are commonly described in clinical practice. While illnesses related to aberrant thyroid hormone homeostasis are the most prevalent endocrinological conditions diagnosed, important aspects related to thyroid hormone physiology are often overlooked. Further, the only known physiological purpose of iodine is its requirement for the synthesis of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). However, although it can be applied as curative agent in the management of thyrotoxicosis, the halogen is often prescribed and used inappropriately with significant, but preventable clinical consequences. In an attempt to kindle a better understanding of aspects related to aberrant thyroid hormone regulation, iodine metabolism, and the clinical management of thyroid related pathology, the current paper provides a physiological and clinical overview of said constructs from a hypothyroid perspective.
Dysmenorrhoea
Authors: Lindeque B G
Published: September 2020

Dysmenorrhoea is a descriptive term for several conditions that cause menstrual pain. While various grades of menstrual pain occur commonly in the menstruating population, approximately 15% of this group of women experience sufficient pain and discomfort to report to healthcare services.

Dysmenorrhoea is classified as either primary or secondary, and consideration should be given to a third type, i.e. once-off, at the time of passing an endometrial cast.

Primary dysmenorrhoea is predominantly found in young women, is caused by prostaglandin activity, and responds well to oral contraceptive use, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug medication.

Secondary dysmenorrhoea, which can occur in any age group, and appears as a consequence of other serious conditions, is the main challenge. The most common other serious conditions include endometriosis, the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices, pelvic infections, uterine adenomyosis, sometimes fibroids, and ovarian cysts. Clearly, these conditions must be considered, diagnosed and treated to resolve the main complaint of dysmenorrhoea.
Methylphenidate use among students living in junior on-campus residences of the University of the Free State
Authors: Van Zyl P M , Joubert G , Fechter L , Griesel J , Nel M , Honiball A , Serfontein L , Diedericks M
Published: September 2020

Background: The use of methylphenidate as cognitive enhancer is a growing trend among students at tertiary institutions globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of methylphenidate use and co-use with alcohol among on-campus residence students of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 10 junior residences were randomly selected and 1 761 anonymous questionnaires handed out for all students living in these residences during 2015. Data were collected on demographics, use of methylphenidate and co-use of methylphenidate with alcohol.

Results: In total, 585 questionnaires (response rate 33.2%) were received and analysed. Sixty-six (11.3%) participants reported past-year use of methylphenidate. While only 18 (27.3%) of past-year users were diagnosed with ADHD, 44 (66.7%) obtained their supply through doctors’ prescriptions, 21 (31.8%) from friends without payment, and 4 (6.1%) bought it from illegal sources. Of the past-year users, 24.2% had used methylphenidate before consuming alcohol.

Conclusion: Off-label prescribing, diversion of prescriptions and illegal trade in methylphenidate occur among students at the UFS. The frequent co-use of methylphenidate and alcohol may indicate a lack of information on the effects of the medication, rather than deliberate misuse.

(Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp)

S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1292695
Incidence of unnatural deaths in Transkei sub-region of South Africa (1996–2015)
Authors: Meel B L
Published: September 2020

Background: Unnatural deaths are a serious and preventable public health problem in South Africa. Such an event is more than the death of an individual who has died in an unnatural way. It has a negative and long-lasting impact on family members as well as on society as a whole.

Objective: To study the pattern of unnatural deaths in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa.

Method: A record review was undertaken from 1996 to 2015 of 24 693 medico-legal autopsies performed at Mthatha Forensic Pathology Laboratory.

Results: At the Mthatha Forensic Pathology Laboratory, 24 693 autopsies were performed between 1996 and 2015 on people who had died unnatural deaths. The average rate of unnatural death is 205 per 100 000 per year in this region. The figure is 160 per 100 000 among males and 44 per 100 000 among females. The rate of unnatural death has increased from 153 per 100 000 in 1996 to 260 per 100 000 in 2015. In two-thirds (69%) of cases, the cause of death is related to trauma. Slightly less than half (45%) of the victims in this study were murdered.

Conclusion: There is an increasing trend of unnatural deaths in the Mthatha region of South Africa. The male-to-female ratio is 3.8:1, and about half (48%) of the victims were between 11 and 30 years old. This situation needs the urgent attention of the law enforcement agencies.

(Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp)

S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1292697
The patient who cannot afford the bus fare to the clinic
Authors: Ellis Chris
Published: September 2020

In his book Equanimitas, written in 1904, Sir William Osler laments that very few doctors go into public life to help advise and manage the delivery of health care. “As a rule,” he says “doctors make bad citizens taking little or no interest in civic, state or national politics”. Most of us do not like leaving the comfort zone of clinical medicine and entering the more robust arena of medical politics.
Rapid Differentiation of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix from Different Geographic Origins Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lu En-Yu , Pi Zi-Feng , Zheng Zhong , Liu Shu , Song Feng-Rui , Li Na , Liu Zhi-Qiang
Published: September 2020

Objective:

There are different geographic origins of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radixs (AKRs) sold in the market with different quality. This study aims to establish a rapid analysis method to distinguish the different geographic origins of AKRs and to realize the rapid evaluation of their quality.

Methods:

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS) method was utilized to acquire the constituents' information of AKRs from different geographic origins. MSE data and Progenesis QI software were employed to identify the chemical constitutes. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to comparing MS data to find the chemical markers of AKRs from different geographic origins.

Results:

Twenty-three components were detected and 17 out of them were identified, including diester-diterpenoid alkaloids, monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids, and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids. Three pairs of isomers were detected and two of them were distinguished by the retention time of standard samples. Thirteen chemical markers were screened out through PCA and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis. Through detecting Napelline or isomer of Napelline (m/z 360.2530) and Aconifine (m/z 662.3170), AKRs from inner Mongolia autonomous could be screened. According to the existence of benzoylaconine (m/z 604.3108) and Indaconitine (m/z 630.3159), it could be confirmed that the AKRs are from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous. AKRs that cannot detect compounds above-mentioned could be from Liaoning or Shanxi Province.

Conclusions:

The chemical profile could be used not only to distinguish the AKRs from different geographic origins but also to identify the true and false of AKRs. This study lays a foundation for the study of efficacy and toxic of AKRs.
Everyone Is Awesome: Analyzing Letters of Reference in a General Surgery Residency Selection Process
Authors: Towaij Chelsea , Raîche Isabelle , Younan Julia , Gawad Nada
Published: September 2020

Background

The resident selection process involves the analysis of multiple data points, including letters of reference (LORs), which are inherently subjective in nature.

Objective

We assessed the frequency with which LORs use quantitative terms to describe applicants and to assess whether the use of these terms reflects the ranking of trainees in the final selection process.

Methods

A descriptive study analyzing LORs submitted by Canadian medical graduate applicants to the University of Ottawa General Surgery Program in 2019 was completed. We collected demographic information about applicants and referees and recorded the use of preidentified quantitative descriptors (eg, best, above average). A 10% audit of the data was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the demographics of our letters as well as the frequency of use of the quantitative descriptors.

Results

Three hundred forty-three LORs for 114 applicants were analyzed. Eighty-five percent (291 of 343) of LORs used quantitative descriptors. Eighty-four percent (95 of 113) of applicants were described as above average, and 45% (51 of 113) were described as the “best” by at least 1 letter. The candidates described as the “best” ranked anywhere from second to 108th in our ranking system.

Conclusions

Most LORs use quantitative descriptors. These terms are generally positive, and while the use does discriminate between different applicants, it was not helpful in the context of ranking applicants in our file review process.