bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Wachstum von Randloben epiphytischer Flechten auf Kunstsubstrat – Methodische Vorarbeiten für ein erweitertes Biomonitoring/The growth of marginal lobes of corticolous lichens on artificial substrat
Authors: Tremp Horst
Published: August 2023

In einem ersten orientierenden Untersuchungsansatz wird ein Expositionsverfahren für Randloben epiphytischer Flechten auf Kunstsubstrat vorgestellt und deren Flächenentwicklung über digitale Bildanalyse beschrieben. Das Verfahren empfiehlt sich insbesondere durch die Verwendung leicht erhältlicher Standardmaterialien und digitaler Ressourcen für das Umweltmonitoring. Die Datenauswertung fokussiert sich auf den Vitalitätsparameter Wachstum, der insbesondere an flächig entwickelten jüngeren Thallusteilen der epiphytischen Flechtenart Parmelia sulcata quantifiziert wird. Durch Verwendung standardisierter Substrate eröffnen sich Möglichkeiten, vergleichende flechtenökologische Fragestellungen etwa im Hinblick auf die dadurch besser in ihrer Bedeutung einzuschätzenden mikroklimatischen Faktoren bzw. Luftschadstoffe zu untersuchen. Für die praktische Anwendung ist im Vergleich zum augenblicklichen Verfahrensstand lediglich eine präzisere Auswahl der Flechtenexponate hinsichtlich deren Größe und Teilungszonen erforderlich sowie – bei vergleichenden Untersuchungen – eine Erhöhung der Wiederholungen.

 

Summary In a preliminary experimental approach, an exposure method for marginal lobes of epiphytic lichens on artificial substrate was tested. Additionally, the area development of the marginal lobes with digital image analysis is described. The methods are particularly recommended for environmental monitoring through the use of readily available standardized materials and digital resources. The data evaluation focuses on the vitality parameter growth of the corticolous lichen Parmelia sulcata, which can be quantified well on younger thallus parts (marginal lobes). The use of standardized substrates opens up the opportunity of assessing the importance of comparative lichen-ecological questions, for example with special focus on the micro climate and air pollutants, which can thereby be better differentiated from substrate factors. For practical application, in comparison to the current state of the procedure a more precise standardization of the marginal lobes with regard to their size and division zones is required, and in the case of comparative investigations an increase in the number of repetitions.
Überwachung von Anlagen nach Emissionsminderungsmaßnahmen mit Bioindikatoren/Monitoring of industrial plants after emission reduction measures with bioindicators
Authors: Hombrecher Katja
Published: August 2023

Pflanzliche Bioindikatoren können nicht nur sehr effektiv für eine Verursacherfindung und Reichweitenabschätzung eingesetzt werden, sondern auch in der anschließenden „Nachsorge“, wenn an industriellen Anlagen Emissionsminderungsmaßnahmen durchgeführt bzw. ganze Anlagen oder Anlagenteile geschlossen wurden. Anders als bei einem Schadensereignis oder einer Reichweitenabschätzung kommen dabei in der Regel keine passiven Monitoringverfahren, wie etwa das Löwenzahn- oder Fichtennadelscreening, zum Einsatz, sondern aktive Verfahren, die mit Vorlauf geplant werden können. In der Regel finden diese Untersuchungen mithilfe des Grünkohlexpositionsverfahrens statt. Hier soll anhand zweier Beispiele aufgezeigt werden, wie eine solche Nachsorge durchgeführt werden kann.
Messung von Ethylenoxid – Validierung eines neuen Messverfahrens und erste Feldmessungen/Measurement of ethylene oxide – Validation of a new measurement method and first field measurements
Authors: Breuer Dietmar , Thomas Benedikt
Published: August 2023

Kurzfassung In einer Feldstudie wurden verschiedene Arbeitsbereiche in deutschen Betrieben aus der Ethylenoxidproduktion, -distribution und -anwendung hinsichtlich ihrer Ethylenoxidexpositionen untersucht. Diese Messungen dienten unter anderem zur Eignungsprüfung einer neu entwickelten und validierten Methode zur Ethylenoxidprobenahme und -analyse. Zur Probenahme wurden dabei inerte Probenahmekanister verwendet. Die Quantifizierung erfolgte durch Anreicherung auf einem Thermodesorber mit nachfolgender gaschromatographischer Analyse. Insgesamt wurden 105 Proben an 19 verschiedenen Arbeitsbereichen genommen. Die höchsten Konzentrationen konnten dabei in einer Sterilisationskammer und bei der Flaschenabfüllung festgestellt werden, mit Maximalwerten von bis zu 11 ppm (19,8 mg/m3). Ziel dieser Messungen war der Nachweis der Eignung des Messverfahrens. Maßnahmen zum Schutz der Beschäftigten – z. B. Persönliche Schutzausrüstung (PSA) oder geschlossene Gabelstaplerkabinen – wurden dabei nicht berücksichtigt. In Arbeitsbereichen des geschlossenen Produktionsprozesses oder in unsterilen Bereichen vor einer Sterilisation kann eine Exposition als tendenziell unkritisch angesehen werden. Dennoch sind mögliche Risiken einzukalkulieren. Im Median befanden sich die meisten vermessenen Proben unterhalb der Akzeptanzkonzentration (0,1 ppm). In Zukunft sollen weitere Arbeitsbereiche in verschiedenen Branchen, z. B. Krankenhäuser, untersucht werden, um ein noch umfassenderes Bild zu erhalten.
Revitalizing the Conference on Disarmament: Workshop Report
Authors:   UNIDIR, Sebban Fanny , Revill James , Kleffmann Johanna , Hessmann Dalaqua Renata , Zhang Vivienne
Published: August 2023

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) has played a significant role in the negotiation of several major multilateral agreements that continue to contribute to global peace and security. More recently, however, negotiation in the CD has reached an impasse, leaving it unable to make progress on its agenda at a point of growing geopolitical tension. To address this issue, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), with the support of France and Germany, organized a high-level retreat in Montreux, Switzerland, on 22–23 June 2023 to discuss ideas to revitalize the work of the CD and its relationship with the wider disarmament machinery. Seventy-nine participants from 60 States (including 51 CD Member States and 9 States that have applied for Observer status to the CD) participated in the retreat in their personal capacity. This report provides a factual summary of the discussion in Montreux.
Revisión metodológica sobre el artículo “Satisfacción familiar en los adolescentes de Lima durante la pandemia de la COVID-19”
Authors: Céspedes Espinoza Jhenifer Carmen
Published: August 2023

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Obtención de cita en atención primaria de salud
Authors: Apaza Duran Alan Jimy
Published: August 2023

La nueva tecnología ha modificado nuestra percepción de la vida, se perfila como una alternativa viable y asequible para que el personal de salud se comunique con los pacientes. La solicitud telefónica y virtual de citas, pueden promover la accesibilidad, ofrecer las ventajas de ser un medio de comunicación rápido, fácil y al menor costo. El presente articulo busca conocer la perspectiva de los pacientes en relación a la actual forma de obtener una cita en atención primaria de salud. Se realizó una búsqueda de bibliografía en las bases de datos online en español y en inglés. Se busco la fuente principal revisando las referencias bibliográficas de las publicaciones. Se encontró que, el cambio a la virtualidad ha facilitado que los usuarios puedan acceder a una cita en atención primaria de salud, reduciendo el tiempo de espera y abriendo el camino a las atenciones no presenciales; el grado de satisfacción por parte de los usuarios se ha incrementado de manera positiva. Las solicitudes telefónicas y virtuales llegaron para quedarse, estas no pretenden reemplazar a las solicitudes presenciales, pero son una herramienta necesaria para mejorar la calidad de atención de los usuarios.
Caracterización de la evolución del Síndrome Post COVID-19 en Cochabamba Bolivia, 2020-2021
Authors: Ortega Martinez Rommer Alex
Published: August 2023

Objetivos: La falta de una definición del síndrome post COVID-19 es un propósito de nuestro estudio, que menciona caracterizar su evolución, en pacientes mayores de 18 años de Cochabamba-Bolivia, gestión 2020-2021.

Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional y analítico; 62 pacientes encuestados, que padecieron COVID-19, pesquisando la gravedad y persistencia de los síntomas.

Resultados: Media de edad de 34.2±11.6 años; disnea con el 45% y tos con 42%; dolor precordial 30%; astenia y mialgias 29%; ansiedad y depresión 47%, alteración de la memoria y concentración 24%; factor de riesgo predominante la obesidad con el 11%; la evolución de los síntomas fue más de 10 días en un 48%; se hospitalizaron entre 1 a 7 días con el 23%; se observó una disminución del desempeño laboral en 34%, de la calidad de vida 23% y afectación económica 58%. La persistencia de los síntomas se presentó en el 50%, en correlación con la hospitalización, disminución de la calidad de vida y enfermedad de base (p<0.05); por otro lado, se obtuvo un OR: 4.87, IC 95% (1.54-17.2) para cuadros moderados y un OR: 4.42, IC 95% (1.28-17.6) para la hospitalización en la persistencia de síntomas.

Discusión: Sobresale la presencia de pacientes jóvenes, cuadros leves y moderados, con sintomatología variada; la persistencia de síntomas se relacionó con la hospitalización y los cuadros moderados; creemos factible sugerir al síndrome COVID-19 post agudo y el síndrome COVID-19 crónico (< y > de 12 semanas), como definiciones tentativas, empero aun nos faltan más estudios al respecto.
El síndrome post-COVID-19 y sus retos para la atención primaria en salud
Authors: Quiñones-Laveriano Dante Manuel
Published: August 2023

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Prediksi Curah hujan di Kota Pekanbaru Menggunakan lSTM (Long Short Term Memory)
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Hendra Yos , Mukhtar Harun ,   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Baidarus Baidarus ,   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Hafsari Rizka ,   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau
Published: August 2023

Based on data obtained from BMKG Pekanbaru City in 2010-2020 there was an increase and decrease in the intensity of rainfall that occurred in Pekanbaru city. The increase in rainfall in the city of Pekanbaru will cause problems such as the occurrence of flooding of several roads and several areas in the city of Pekanbaru and the occurrence of other unexpected disasters that will cause problems and experience difficulties. In overcoming this problem, research was conducted in the form of Rainfall Prediction in Pekanbaru City Using LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) using 2 methods, namely in finding the accuracy of the error rate using RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) and MSE (Mean Square Error). The results showed that the predictions made were quite good. With the lowest error rate of 21,328 in the train and 454,901 in the test, the composition of the train data and the test data half gave the best results.
Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica
Authors: Tariq Muhammad , Ahmad Zubair , Shah Sher Ali , Gul Zainab , Khan Shahid Ali
Published: August 2023

Background: All over the world, natural products containing different secondary metabolites have been used for antibacterial purposes, and as folk medicines with significant effects. Amongst many different plants, Tobacco plants are cultivated all over the world, but natively belong to America. These plants contain variety of secondary metabolites and possess significant antibacterial activity.

Objectives: To conduct phytochemical analysis and measure the antibacterial potential of Tobacco plants Nicotiana tabacum and  Nicotiana rustica  using their extracts.

Methodology: Multiple chemical tests such as Wagner’s test and Fehling’s test were used to determine the presence of different types of secondary metabolites. Both plant species were also screened for their antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion method.

Results: Phytochemical analysis of the extracts from both plant species i.e. Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica  indicated the presence of secondary metabolites including tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, and flavonoids. Significant antibacterial activity of both plant extracts was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, but not against Escherichia coli.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that both plant extracts showed the presence of secondary metabolites, with significant inhibitory effect observed against Staphylococcus aureus, and no effect against Escherichia coli.
Utilization of Probiotics for the Development of Non-Dairy (Oat and Barley Based) Milk Products Targeting Lactose Intolerant Individuals
Authors: Ramzan Saniya , Sharif Mian Kamran , Ejaz Rebia
Published: August 2023

Background: Lactose intolerance is a condition in people with inability to digest and breakdown the lactose sugar for metabolism. This disaccharide sugar is present in milk, and its products can be broken down into monosaccharide units by lactase enzyme, but its absence genetically or environmentally can make it difficult to consume the lactose containing products.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate non-dairy products for consumer acceptance as milk alternate. Oats and barley milk can be the alternatives with addition of soluble and in-soluble fibers. Moreover, introduction of probiotics helps to improve nutritional characteristics and formulation of the product.

Methodology: The present study was designed to develop non-dairy milk from oats and barley, further fermented by using probiotics, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus thermophilus to develop the drinking type yogurt product with better acceptability. Moreover, the milk products were examined through physical and chemical characteristics and the statistical analysis including pH, acidity, total soluble solids, specific gravity, and proximate analysis was conducted. Likewise, the fermented products were investigated for proximate, syneresis, color, texture, and sensory assessment to obtain best fit for milk substitute.

Results: The statistics for the prepared products showed that the color (using color meter) among the product range was L = 65.033-79.16; a* = -3.916 to -6.556 and b* = 13.847 to 23.0, while moisture was 87.233% to 97.713%. Furthermore, fat was 0.0143% to 2.3533%, protein 0.5433% to 3.286%, ash 0.095% to 0.4233%, texture 0.065 to 0.408, and syneresis range was 54.33 to 82.67 among the products.

Conclusion: After sensory evaluation and the analysis, the best treatment T1 (100% oat milk) is considered fit-to-substitute cow milk and its products, with higher consumer acceptability.
Lipid Profile Variations and Their Associations with Kidney Injury in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Rashid Haji Muhammad , Sujjad Muhammad Aamer , Hassan Hiza , Khan Mudassar , Khan Jamal , Abbasi Mehreen Akhlaq
Published: August 2023

Background: COVID effects different people in different ways. Acute kidney injury and variations in lipid profile are frequent complications among patients hospitalized for Covid-19. Severely infected patients with Covid-19 have higher frequency of kidney injury and hypolipidemia, resulting in higher mortality rate.

Objectives: The current study was designed to explore variations in lipid profile and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) in Covid-19 patients, and to evaluate the association of eGFR with lipid parameters in Covid-19 patients (confirmed cases) and healthy controls.

Methodology: This comparative cross sectional study was carried out at pathology lab of MACCA Diagnostic, Multan from Oct 2020 to Jan 2021. We enrolled 225 Covid-19 patients as test group and 225 healthy subjects (negative for Covid-19) as control group. Fasting blood samples of Covid-19 and control group were collected to test lipid profile and eGFR. Estimated GFR was calculated from the value of serum creatinine, age, gender and ethnicity of all participants by applying Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation.

Results: All parameters of lipid profile and eGFR were significantly lower in Covid-19 patients group than healthy control group, with p-value <0.0001. We found strong positive association between eGfR and serum High density lipoproteins (HDL) levels (r2= 0.57) in Covid-19 patients.

Conclusion: Hypolipidemia and decreased in eGFR were observed in Covid-19 patients, and extent of kidney injury (decrease in eGfR) was positively associated with serum HDL.
Prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Aly , Sheikh Iqra , Khatoon Nasira , Waheed Samina , Shaukat S. Shahid , Khan Adnan
Published: August 2023

Background: Malaria is caused by malaria parasite of Genus Plasmodium. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Four species of Plasmodium namely P. malariae, P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. ovale are responsible for causing malaria in humans. The fifth one, P. knowlesiare is responsible to cause zoonotic infection in humans. Severe malaria may lead to death in humans.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. and to evaluate the percentage of infection in males, females and children of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

Methodology: Samples were collected from different laboratories and hospitals of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Chi-square test for frequency data was performed.

Results: A total of 411 cases were found to be positive out of 2096 suspected cases. P. vivaxwas more prevalent than P. falciparum. Out of 411 patients, 296 cases were of P. vivax, 112 were of P. falciparum, 2 were of P. malariaewhile one was of P. ovale. The frequency of different species was found to be highly significant (p<0.001). In age class <1-15 yrs, 16-40 yrs and 41->80 yrs the frequency differed significantly as indicated by chi-square test (p<0.001). Our results show that infection of malaria is more frequent in males as compared to females.

Conclusion: Present survey shall be beneficial for the control of Plasmodium infection. Screening of patients who have malaria is important in other areas of Karachi as well. Additional studies with large sample sizes in other localities are required to fully understand malaria pathology in detail. The presence of P. ovaleand P. malariaecould be due to travel of subjects to African countries or Srilanka.
Effect of Post-Harvest Treatments on Quality Characteristics of Carrots During Storage
Authors: Mirani Benish Nawaz , Chattha Shakeel Hussain , Soomro Shakeel Ahmed , Wagan Bakhtawar , Dahri Imtiaz Ali , Khan Zaheer Ahmed , Zahid Ghassan , Ansari Babar Mustafa
Published: August 2023

Background: Carrot due to its versatility in culinary uses is considered to be one of the most preferred vegetable. The carrot in Pakistan ranks third among winter vegetables, but due to adoption of improper postharvest techniques and storage, it leads to a great reduction in its quality.

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the effect of different treatments on quality characteristics of carrot.

Methodology: The study was carried out at the Laboratory of Farm Structures, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan. Freshly harvested mature carrots free from damage and fungal attack were obtained from field. The carrot samples were subjected to different post-harvest treatments i.e. 40 ºC hot water dip for 2 minutes, 50 ºC hot water dip for 2 minutes, 0.4% concentration of calcium chloride (CaCl2) dip for 2 minutes and tap water.

Results: The results revealed that moisture content and firmness decreased with increasing storage duration, whereas weight loss, fungal incidence and total soluble solids increased with increasing storage duration. The carrots treated with 0.4% concentration of CaCl2 dip for 2 minutes had maximum moisture content (78.32%) and firmness (4.12 lbs), with minimum weight loss (41.33%), fungal incidence (38.14%) and total soluble solids (10.43%), followed by 40 ºC hot water dip for 2 minutes, 50 ºC hot water dip for 2 minutes and tap water.

Conclusion: The carrots treated with 0.4% concentration of CaCl2 dip for 2 minutes showed better quality characteristics at the end of storage. The adoption of this treatment should therefore be encouraged in the developing countries for extending the quality characteristics of carrots.
Crohn's Disease: Retrospective Study In Algerian Patients
Authors: Guetarni Hassina , Aissou Meriem
Published: August 2023

Background: Inflammatory disease of Crohn affects the entire digestive tract, with extra-intestinal manifestations and immune disorders.

Objectives: This work aims to represent the histopathological aspects of Crohn‘s disease and the establishment of pathogenic bacteria as causal agents.

Methodology: The histopathological aspects of the disease were studied on a colonic resection specimen and on intestinal biopsies with colorations topographic staining. Pathogenic bacteria responsible for Crohn‘s disease have also been isolated and identified. The study is continued to establish a correlation between the disease and exposure to infections by unusual bacteria, particularly pathogens (Salmonella, Shigella, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella).

Results : The macroscopic appearance of the disease presented transmural involvement and can be complicated by abscesses and fistulas, microscopic appearance indicated the infiltrate of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, plasma and cells) and lymphoid follicles after topographic staining.

Crohn’s disease is an idiopathic disease, it is assumed that it is a deregulation of the immune system due to an infectious agent in genetically predisposed people.

In our work, we studied the microbiota of intestine and stool of Crohn’s patients in which we found certain bacteria including Proteus mirabilis with a predominance of E. coli. Other pathogenic bacteria were found like Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Klebsiella spp. and Streptococcus pyogenes. Two cases which tested positive on Ziehl Neelsen stain represented Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis.

Conclusion: The histopathological aspect of CD can be better visualized and identified on surgical specimens than on endoscopic biopsies, which helps to monitor the evolution of the disease and must be accompanied by clinical, serological and radiological exploration.
Two new species of the genus Cryptopimpla Taschenberg (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) with an updated key to African species
Authors: Reynolds Terry , van Noort Simon
Published: August 2023

A revised illustrated key to Afrotropical species of the genus Cryptopimpla Taschenberg is provided, with the inclusion of two new South African species, C. orenji Reynolds & van Noort, sp. nov. and C. hoerikwagga Reynolds & van Noort, sp. nov., which are described and illustrated. The recovery of the first female specimens of Cryptopimpla goci Reynolds & van Noort in samples from Fernkloof and Grootbos nature reserves, and subsequent morphological reassessment of generic affinity based on female characters, no longer supports the placement of this species in Cryptopimpla. The transfer of C. goci to Lissonota Gravenhorst is proposed here: Lissonota goci (Reynolds & van Noort), comb. nov., and the female is described. New Afrotropical distributional records for the previously described Cryptopimpla species are presented and notes on the distribution and diversification of the species are also provided. Online interactive Lucid keys to the 11 Afrotropical Cryptopimpla species are available at: http://www.waspweb.org.
Intraoperative OCT (iOCT) Guidance for Determining Depth of Lens Grooving and Remaining Lens Thickness From the Posterior Capsule During Phacoemulsification in Cataract Surgery
Authors: Reinstein Dan Z. , Gupta Ruchi , Patel Darshak , Stuart Alastair , Archer Timothy J. , Potter Joseph G.
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

To explore the utility of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) in the determination of phacoemulsification groove depth and remaining lens thickness from the posterior capsule before lens cracking.

Methods:

In this retrospective analysis of 22 eyes, a remaining lens thickness (RLT) of less than 1.5 mm was defined as a suitable remainder to be achieved before initiating lens cracking. Phacoemulsification of the primary groove was carried out to a depth judged to be adequate by assessment of red reflex. An iOCT image was obtained; if the RLT was greater than 1.5 mm, further grooving was performed and a second iOCT measurement was obtained. Once the RLT was 1.5 mm or less, the surgeon proceeded with nucleus cracking.

Results:

The RLT was less than 1.5 mm in 90.9% of eyes (20/22). In 2 eyes (9.1%), the RLT was greater than 1.5 mm (cataract grade 2 and 5), which prompted further sculpting to deepen the groove. The final RLT was 0.99 and 0.90 mm in these 2 eyes, followed by lens cracking.

Conclusions:

Quantitative iOCT measurement enabled objective intraocular visualization of cataract groove depth prior to splitting the nucleus. Groove depth judgment using the red reflex resulted in an inadequate depth of grooving and a RLT of greater than 1.5 mm in 9% of eyes, even for an experienced surgeon. Greater difficulty was found in one dense cataract. The iOCT measurement may have helped dictate the need for further grooving before initiating lens cracking, thus minimizing the risk of a difficult or failed lens cracking. Objective confirmation of groove depth will be particularly useful for novice surgeons as they gain experience with the red reflex assessment and could be a helpful adjunct to phacoemulsification training.

[
Journal of Refractive Surgery Case Reports.
2023;3(3):e28–e32.
Réflexions sur l’obsolescence technologique dans l’art contemporain
Authors: Vidal Laure
Published: August 2023

Cet article rend compte d’une réflexion en cours à partir de trois exemples étudiés récemment par l’auteur dans le cadre de sa formation de restaurateur à l’INP : une œuvre de César, Ensemble de télévision, au musée national d’Art moderne, Paris ; les œuvres de Jean Tinguely, au museum Tinguely à Bâle ; un exemplaire du Rotorelief de Marcel Duchamp au musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris. Il aborde les problèmes posés par la restauration des œuvres électromécaniques.
Abrasive Wear Properties Evaluation of the Thixoformed A380/NbC Composite
Authors: Arendarchuck Bruno Edu , Lourençato Luciano Augusto , Tamayo Daimer Velazquez , Zoqui Eugênio José , Fals Hipolito Domingo Carvajal
Published: August 2023

Composite materials are increasingly being used in several areas, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries, however, during regular operation their wear is one of the main causes of failure. Consequently, developing and researching new composite materials is essential to increase and improve service life. In addition, thixoforming is claimed to exhibit superior properties by reducing typical defects in casting like shrinkage and porosity. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to produce and analyze abrasion wear properties of the thixoformed aluminum matrix composite reinforced with NbC, obtained by the stir-casting method. Three different composites with 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 15 wt.% of NbC were manufactured with the stir-casting method, compared with A380 alloy. The procedure involves an A380 aluminum alloy that was molten at 750 °C. In sequence, niobium carbide powder was added by mechanical stirring for 10 min; Mg was added to improve the wettability between the reinforcement and matrix. Chemical grain refinement by Al-5Ti-1B master alloy was used for non-dendritic feedstock production. Hence, the induction furnace was used for the thixoforming process, to achieve a mushy of 60 % solid fraction at 562 °C, determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The holding time applied was 90s. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses allowed the microstructural characterization. Abrasive wear tests, according to the ASTM G65 standard, showed an improvement of the composites’ abrasion wear resistance after the thixoforming process, with a higher amount of NbC, potentially increasing the range of use of this technology and materials.
Effect of Mn Addition on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Die Soldering of Rheocasting Al-7Si-0.3Mg Alloys
Authors: Li Jie Hua , Spacil Ivo , Winklhofer Johannes , Hofstätter Fabian , Griesebner Stefan
Published: August 2023

The effect of Mn additions (up to 0.8 wt.%) into Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy on the microstructure, mechanical properties and die soldering was firstly investigated in gravity die casting conditions, with the aim to obtain an optimized Mn addition level. Especially, the stirring testing on H13 die material was used to elucidate the effect of Mn additions on the Fe concentration in the Al melting as a function of melting temperature (690 °C) and holding time (up to 32 h), which can provide an indirect sign of die soldering. On this basis, the addition of 0.6wt.%Mn into Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy was found to be beneficial for microstructure, strength and die soldering. Secondly, rheocasting of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy without (Mn-free alloy) and with 0.6 wt.% Mn (Mn-containing alloy) was performed. The addition of 0.6wt.%Mn into Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy was found to have following effects: (i) solidification temperature of α-Al is increased and a higher (about 20 °C) rheocasting temperature is therefore needed, but no significant die soldering problem was observed even with increasing casting temperature, (ii) Mn-containing phase forms along grain boundaries and within Al matrix, which increases tensile and yield strength but decreases elongation in as-cast, T5 and T6 conditions, (iii) number density and volume fraction of pores increases, and (iv) die soldering slightly improves. This paper demonstrates that the addition of 0.6wt.%Mn into Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy is beneficial for microstructure, strength and die soldering in both gravity die casting and rheocasting conditions.
Influence of Reinforcement Particle Parameters on the Homogeneity of Particle Distribution in Semi-Solid Formed Aluminium Matrix Composites
Authors: Speth Marco , Riedmüller Kim Rouven , Liewald Mathias
Published: August 2023

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) offer improved mechanical and tribological properties compared to monolithic materials and therefore provide great potential for various applications. This particularly applies to particle-reinforced AMCs revealing comparatively high contents of reinforcement particles. However, these types of composites are difficult to manufacture due to their abrasive characteristics as well as their complex rheological material behaviour. An approach to produce such AMCs is semi-solid powder processing, combining powder pressing and sintering in one step in order to produce fully dense composites with currently only cylindrical shapes. Therefore, the tools as well as the powder mixture are first heated into the semi-solid temperature range of the aluminium powder and subsequently formed using low pressures under 200 MPa. Due to the shear thinning behaviour of the semi-solid aluminium matrix the porous structure of the pressed powder is filled during compaction, resulting in homogenous particle distributions in the component. However, this process results in high process times as well as energy costs, due to the heating inside of the die. In contrast to the semi-solid powder processing in one step, in this paper, a novel process route combining cold uniaxial compaction of particle reinforced aluminium powders having up to 50 vol.% SiC with subsequent semi-solid forming is presented. Here, a particle reinforced and cylindrically shaped green body is utilized as raw material, in order to produce complex components through semi-solid forming. The parts produced in this way are featuring varying wall thicknesses and are used in order to determine the process limits for manufacturing particle reinforced components having up to 50 vol.% SiC. Thereby, the influence of reinforcement particle size as well as particle loading on the homogeneity of the resulting particle distribution of an academic component is investigated. Future main objective of the process route is the manufacturing of complex parts with homogenously distributed particles.
Assess the Impact of Meditation of Suspects on Trial on Criminal Offences in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayatillake Nilanthi , Siriwardena Sampath
Published: August 2023

The term Meditation is a process whereby one can make a conscious effort to relax and achieve profound peacefulness in mind. Meditation supports people to strive for transformation of the mind to take control of their inner self, understand the reality of life, practice the art of detachment and lead a simple lifestyle. This paper fundamentally assesses the impact of meditation of suspects on trial on criminal offences based on a selected prison in Sri Lanka.According to the prison performance report 2017, there is a significant growth of inmates in readmission for island wide prisons in Sri Lanka. Some of the key previous findings (Blatt, 2002) highlights, meditation is of key importance to center the focus of one’s life and enhance self-relaxation. The prime objective of this study is to assess the impact of current meditation applications for suspects on trial on criminal offences in Mahara Prison in Sri Lanka.The total population of the study is 110 inmates, and the study population was demarcated to the inmates who have been convicted and served the punishment for more than 10 years for various offences. The study population was finally determined for 48 and the researcher distributed the questionnaire for 35 inmates which cover over 70% of the study population. The researcher used primary and secondary data and descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the respective data.One of the key findings of the study is that the Content of the meditation programme has a significant positive impact on mediating the inmates. It also highlights that the duration of the programme also has a positive impact on meditation, not only that the knowledge and the skills of the presenter also have a positive high impact on the meditation programme.
The Mediating Effect of Knowledge Management on Intellectual Capital and Value Creation: Evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Karunarathne W.V. A. D. , Weligamage S. S. , Wanigasekara W. A. D. K. J.
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to investigate the impact of Intellectual Capital on Value Creation mediated through Knowledge Management in Sri Lankan companies. The ‘static’ and the ‘dynamic’ aspect of knowledge and the theoretical models, which are based on the relationship between Intellectual Capital and Knowledge Management forced the authors to address this research problem. The study was based on the top corporate personnel’s views collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Out of 297 Public Listed Companies listed on Colombo Stock Exchange and 517 private companies registered in Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, 263 companies were selected as the sample. Value creation was measured through both non-financial value drivers and financial value drivers, which was an innovative feature of this study. The data was analyzed using multivariate analysis through Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling. The findings confirmed a partial mediation of knowledge management. Further, findings revealed a significant and positive impact of intellectual capital on value creation and a significant positive impact of intellectual capital on knowledge management. The impact of knowledge management on value creation was also a significant positive one.
Factors Affecting to Work-Life Balance of Accountants: Evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Nishath S. S. , Kamaldeen M. N. F.
Published: August 2023

Managing an appropriate balance between work and life has been an unending challenge for accounting professionals. The study aims to find out the impact of work environment, job burnout and demographic differences on the work-life balance of accounting professionals in Sri Lanka. The questionnaire was self-administrated and snowball sampling method was used. Data analysis was performed considering the mean, ANOVA test, Levene’s test for equality of variance and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. It was found that most accounting professionals in Sri Lanka don’t have a proper work-life balance. Work Environment factor had a positive impact on the work-life balance. The job burnout factor had a negative impact on the work-life balance. Further, there isn’t a difference in the work-life balance perspectives of male and female accounting professionals. The age of accounting professionals had no impact on work-life balance. And the marital status of accounting professionals had no impact on their work-life balance.
Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit: Leader Transformation and the Coming into Being of the Leader’s Creative Vision
Authors: Gunawardena H. P. G. V. , Jayakody J. A. S. K. , Adikaram A. S.
Published: August 2023

This article aims to explore and discuss how the leader’s creative vision comes into being within the leader and how it triggers the attainment of organizational transformation. Adopting the embedded multiple case study approach, three descriptive cases (organizational transformation initiatives) were selected for the analysis. In-depth interviews were carried out with the leader of the organizational transformation initiatives and fifteen respondents involved in the transformations. Westley and Mintzberg’s Visionary Leadership Theory and Brook’s Theorem on Transformation were used as the theoretical lenses of the study. Findings indicate the transformation process through which the leader’s creative vision comes into being as an outcome of a ‘whole-person’ transformation involving the mind, body, heart, and spirit of the leader, which passes through the states of ‘active desire’, ‘intent’, ‘confidence’, and finally ‘action’ when the leader’s creative vision is shared with the followers. The contribution of these findings to theory and practice are also discussed.
Nodular basal cell carcinoma on an autologous split-thickness skin graft after melanoma surgery
Authors: Mussi Martina , Zengarini Corrado , Alessandrini Aurora , Dika Emi
Published: August 2023

Not available
Clinical Characteristics, Therapeutics, and Treatment Outcomes of Adult Patients with Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-Associated gene 5 Dermatomyositis: A Single-Center Experience from South India
Authors: Padiyar Shivraj , Nair Aswin M. , Yadav Bijesh , Manikuppam Prathyusha , Jha Avanish , Manwatkar Abhilasha Arvind , Mathew John
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

To study the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) dermatomyositis (DM).

Methods:

This was a retrospective study done between 2019 and 2021 in a tertiary care center in South India. All consecutive patients, presenting to the adult rheumatology department, classified as idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM), and positive for anti-MDA5 antibodies, were included in the study. Baseline characteristics of anti-MDA5 patients were compared with the data of non-MDA5 patients over the last 10 years. Clinical, biochemical, and treatment responses were assessed on follow-up. Complete and partial responders were identified using predefined criteria. Factors predicting mortality were determined by logistic regression analysis. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.

Results:

A total of 29 adult patients of IIM were positive for anti-MDA5 antibody during the study period. The mean (±standard deviation) age of the patients was 40.3 (±13.02) years with a female:male ratio of 1.4:1. Panniculitis, calcinosis, palmar papules, and ulcerated Gottron’s were the specific cutaneous manifestations, seen in 3 (10%), 7 (24%), 4 (13.4%), and 7 (24%) patients, respectively. A total of 14 patients (48.1%) had clinically amyopathic DM and 17 patients (60.7%) had interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnosed by high-resolution computerized tomography scan, of which organizing pneumonia was the predominant pattern. Complete response was seen in 10 patients (43.4%), while a partial response was seen in 8 patients (34.7%). Five patients died on follow-up, accounting for mortality of 21%. Age >50 years was significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.025). Gottron’s sign (P < 0.001), panniculitis (P < 0.001), calcinosis (P < 0.001), cutaneous ulcerations (P < 0.001), inflammatory arthritis (P < 0.001), and ILD (P < 0.02) were present more commonly in the anti-MDA5 IIM group, whereas myopathy (P < 0.001), elevated creatine phosphokinase (P < 0.001), and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001) were more frequently present in the non-anti-MDA5 IIM group (n = 421).

Conclusions:

Anti-MDA5 DM represents a distinct and unique subset of IIM with characteristic clinical manifestations. Elderly age is a poor prognostic factor of mortality.
Prognostic significance of preoperative lymphocyte to monocyte ratio in patients with signet ring gastric cancer
Authors: Liu He-Li , Feng Xiang , Tang Mi-Mi , Zhou Hai-Yan , Peng Huan , Ge Jie , Liu Ting
Published: August 2023

Tumour rupture of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has been considered to be a remarkable risk factor because of its unfavourable impact on the oncological outcome. Although tumour rupture has not yet been included in the current tumor-node-metastasis classification of GISTs as a prognostic factor, it may change the natural history of a low-risk GIST to a high-risk GIST. Originally, tumour rupture was defined as the spillage or fracture of a tumour into a body cavity, but recently, new definitions have been proposed. These definitions distinguished from the prognostic point of view between the major defects of tumour integrity, which are considered tumour rupture, and the minor defects of tumour integrity, which are not considered tumour rupture. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the risk of disease recurrence in R1 patients is largely modulated by the presence of tumour rupture. Therefore, after excluding tumour rupture, R1 may not be an unfavourable prognostic factor for GISTs. Additionally, after the standard adjuvant treatment of imatinib for GIST with rupture, a high recurrence rate persists. This review highlights the prognostic value of tumour rupture in GISTs and emphasizes the need to carefully take into account and minimize the risk of tumour rupture when choosing surgical strategies for GISTs.
Regional differences in islet amyloid deposition in the residual pancreas with new-onset diabetes secondary to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Rui , Liu Ya , Liang Yan , Zhou Li , Chen Mao-Jia , Liu Xu-Bao , Tan Chun-Lu , Chen Yong-Hua
Published: August 2023

Tumour rupture of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has been considered to be a remarkable risk factor because of its unfavourable impact on the oncological outcome. Although tumour rupture has not yet been included in the current tumor-node-metastasis classification of GISTs as a prognostic factor, it may change the natural history of a low-risk GIST to a high-risk GIST. Originally, tumour rupture was defined as the spillage or fracture of a tumour into a body cavity, but recently, new definitions have been proposed. These definitions distinguished from the prognostic point of view between the major defects of tumour integrity, which are considered tumour rupture, and the minor defects of tumour integrity, which are not considered tumour rupture. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the risk of disease recurrence in R1 patients is largely modulated by the presence of tumour rupture. Therefore, after excluding tumour rupture, R1 may not be an unfavourable prognostic factor for GISTs. Additionally, after the standard adjuvant treatment of imatinib for GIST with rupture, a high recurrence rate persists. This review highlights the prognostic value of tumour rupture in GISTs and emphasizes the need to carefully take into account and minimize the risk of tumour rupture when choosing surgical strategies for GISTs.
Anti-reflux effects of a novel esophagogastric asymmetric anastomosis technique after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy
Authors: Pang Li-Qun , Zhang Jie , Shi Fang , Pang Cong , Zhang Cheng-Wan , Liu Ye-Liu , Zhao Yao , Qian Yan , Li Xiang-Wei , Kong Dan , Wu Shang-Nong , Zhou Jing-Fang , Xie Cong-Xue , Chen Song
Published: August 2023

Tumour rupture of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has been considered to be a remarkable risk factor because of its unfavourable impact on the oncological outcome. Although tumour rupture has not yet been included in the current tumor-node-metastasis classification of GISTs as a prognostic factor, it may change the natural history of a low-risk GIST to a high-risk GIST. Originally, tumour rupture was defined as the spillage or fracture of a tumour into a body cavity, but recently, new definitions have been proposed. These definitions distinguished from the prognostic point of view between the major defects of tumour integrity, which are considered tumour rupture, and the minor defects of tumour integrity, which are not considered tumour rupture. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the risk of disease recurrence in R1 patients is largely modulated by the presence of tumour rupture. Therefore, after excluding tumour rupture, R1 may not be an unfavourable prognostic factor for GISTs. Additionally, after the standard adjuvant treatment of imatinib for GIST with rupture, a high recurrence rate persists. This review highlights the prognostic value of tumour rupture in GISTs and emphasizes the need to carefully take into account and minimize the risk of tumour rupture when choosing surgical strategies for GISTs.
Maternal choledochal cysts in pregnancy: A systematic review of case reports and case series
Authors: Augustin Goran , Romic Ivan , Miličić Iva , Mikuš Mislav , Herman Mislav
Published: August 2023

Tumour rupture of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has been considered to be a remarkable risk factor because of its unfavourable impact on the oncological outcome. Although tumour rupture has not yet been included in the current tumor-node-metastasis classification of GISTs as a prognostic factor, it may change the natural history of a low-risk GIST to a high-risk GIST. Originally, tumour rupture was defined as the spillage or fracture of a tumour into a body cavity, but recently, new definitions have been proposed. These definitions distinguished from the prognostic point of view between the major defects of tumour integrity, which are considered tumour rupture, and the minor defects of tumour integrity, which are not considered tumour rupture. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the risk of disease recurrence in R1 patients is largely modulated by the presence of tumour rupture. Therefore, after excluding tumour rupture, R1 may not be an unfavourable prognostic factor for GISTs. Additionally, after the standard adjuvant treatment of imatinib for GIST with rupture, a high recurrence rate persists. This review highlights the prognostic value of tumour rupture in GISTs and emphasizes the need to carefully take into account and minimize the risk of tumour rupture when choosing surgical strategies for GISTs.