bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversing global biodiversity declines:
Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into
decision-making at national and local scales
Authors: Bjorkland Rhema , Bjorkland Ronald
Published: August 2021

The rapid and unprecedented global loss of biodiversity
threatens the wide-ranging goods and services that
nature provides, endangers human institutions, and
portends future scenarios of human-nature relationships
that differ significantly from what humans have experienced
historically. While numerous national and international
responses have been put in place to stem this loss,
none have succeeded in significantly reducing its rate.
Reasons for these failures are not uniform, but some
key identified features include inadequate funding and
logistical support, structural weaknesses in targeted
actions, and the socio-political systems that interfere
with needed transformative changes. This article provides
a brief historical background to global-level biodiversity
conservation efforts and suggests pathways needed to
move forward if the proposed vision of “Living in
Harmony with Nature” by 2050 is to be realized. Framing
socio-economic and cultural development within the dual
crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, and not
the other way around, represents the most likely path
to success. This effort will require strong actions from
communities and institutions, from local to global, to end the
disconnect between global targets, national commitments,
and local actions; reformed mechanisms for funding and
other support; and radically improved strategies to galvanize
both political will and public support through improved
communication.
DP 0252 - Brazilian Nuclear-Powered Submarine: national defense and technological externalities
Authors: Andrade Israel de Oliveira , Silva Márcio Magno de Farias Franco e , Hillebrand Giovanni Roriz Lyra , Franco Luiz Gustavo Aversa
Published: August 2021

In order to prepare and employ naval power and contribute to national defense, the Brazilian Navy, through its programs and projects, seeks to develop means of implementation of naval war operations and actions suitable for its main tasks – sea denial
and control, and power projection. A significant portion of these efforts is the Submarine
Development Program (PROSUB), which the ultimate purpose is to develop the first
Brazilian nuclear-powered submarine. This paper aims to emphasize the importance of
PROSUB (especially regarding the nuclear submarine) to the accomplishment of the
Brazilian Navy constitutional mission and to the country’s development and security,
notably stressing its positive externalities (in technological, human resources and social
terms) and the importance of its continuity and enhancement.
DP 0253 - Are Fiscal VAR’s Non-Fundamentalness Easily Reversible Through the Addition of Informative Variables?
Authors: Vonbun Christian , Lima Elcyon Caiado Rocha
Published: August 2021

The VAR/SVAR (Vector Autoregressive and Structural Vector Autoregressive) models are the cornerstone of the contemporaneous empirical macroeconomic research, in particular for being able to measure the impact of fiscal policy shocks. They may be employed as atheoretical models, as well as a mean to support the estimation and testing of DSGE (Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium) models – the main theoretical tool for modern macroeconomics. Nevertheless, VAR models may be subject to pathologies, such as the non-fundamentalness. It is capable of biasing the estimates in any direction or intensity, and it consists of the non-invertibility of the MA (Moving Average) representation on the positive powers of the lag operator. This is associated with the insufficiency of the econometrician’s data to estimate the model’s correct parameters or with model misspecification. This study is the first to employ the latest and most efficient tests for non-fundamentalness on fiscal data for the USA: the Forni and Gambetti’s (2014) and Canova and Sahneh (2018) tests. The data and model were found to be non-fundamental.
DP 0255 - ‘Robin Hood in Reverse’: persistence and barriers to redistributive fiscal policy
Authors: Cavalcante Pedro
Published: August 2021

Despite improvements in the living conditions of the population, there has not been a significant change in income disparities. Since the growth of left-wing parties and political competition as per the median voter hypothesis do not stand in the Brazilian case, what could explain the tenacity of inequality in the country? To answer this, the paper, grounded in new institutionalism theory, employed a process-tracing method to explore the causes of the continuity of unequal income distribution in Brazil. The inquiry tests the mechanism using the case of redistributive fiscal policy and the literature of electoral rules and business influence in the political system. This analysis reinforces that the Brazilian government not only misuses its fiscal instruments to distribute income, but also acts as a ‘Robin Hood in reverse’: that is, it withdraws from those who have less to subsidize or pay transfers to those who have more.
DP 0258 - Measuring the impact of the OECD guidelines for multinational companies
Authors: Mueller Bernardo , Roviello Felipe Yudi
Published: August 2021

The OECD Guidelines for the responsible business conduct of Multinational Enterprises is one of the largest corporate social responsibility programs (CSR) in the world. By February 2021, 501 allegations of misconduct by multinational companies have been brought to the attention of the National Contact Points (NCP) of its signatory countries. These cases have resulted in a varied sample of experiences which can be used to quantitatively identify the impact on a company of being denounced within this framework. This paper describes an approach to measure the impact of the OECD Guidelines on the affected enterprises. Because adherence to the Guidelines is voluntary, these do not have judicial force or official sanctioning mechanisms. Their efficacy depends on the impact that they have on companies’ reputation and public image. Measuring this impact is not straightforward, yet a large literature on Corporate Social Responsibility has developed many methods to detect and quantify how the public’s perception of companies’ behavior and choices in areas not directly linked to their core business can be measured. In this paper we use several variants of event studies as methods to detect potential costs imposed on a multinational company of having an allegation of misconduct brought before a NCP. These methods use stock market data to detect stock price if there are oscillations around the time of the denunciation. If the companies’ returns suffer due to having alleged misconduct brought before this mechanism, it is reasonable to assume that the Guidelines and NCPs are effective. The variations revolve on what is used as a counterfactual to the observed market oscillations. We consider three counterfactuals: i) a market model; ii) a sample of non-denounced companies matched along a set of covariates; and iii) the firms’ returns over an interval of placebo-dates, when they were not denounced. We find clear evidence that in many cases the firms’ exposure through the program led to a statistically significant decrease in returns at the time of the denunciation. These effects varied, however, across firms, sectors and countries.
A Pragma-Stylistic Approach to Analysing Proverbs: A Review of Some Selected Proverbs in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God
Authors: Essuman Jonathan , ResCue Elvis , Yeboah Philomena Ama Okyeso
Published: August 2021

African artworks, to be specific, literature has for quite a long time now demonstrated African tradition and culture. One major African literary tool that has maintained its efficacy in the African cultural heritage is the use of proverbs. Proverbs have been diversely used to perform several functions in the African traditional setting. Among such functions are: confirming opinions, warning, showing regrets, doubts, justifications and many more. This paper seeks to examine some selected proverbs from Chinua Achebe’s novels – Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God. Significantly, one can conclude that the style of a writer can go a long way in determining the reception and authenticity of his works. Chinua Achebe has extensively employed proverbs in his works as a tool for setting out or revealing his characters, themes and many others. This study is a pragma-stylistic approach to the analysis of proverbs used by Achebe in the selected novels. The researchers focus primarily on the style, meaning and function of the proverbs used in the selected texts. A critical content analysis method is employed for this study to determine the functions of the proverbs within the context of the novel. This study brings to the fore the very nature of African proverbs, specifically the Igbo of Nigeria and reveals the various functions ascribed to these proverbs. This will provide readers with the necessary knowledge on the very reasons why some proverbs are used and will ignite the research impetus of some researchers to further investigate other approaches to proverbs. This study has contributed immensely to the existing literature on pragma-stylistic studies and the understanding of a pragma-stylistic approach as a theoretical concept with a unique focus on analysing African proverbs.

Keywords: Achebe, Proverbs, Pragmatics, Pragma-stylistics, Stylistics
TOI-942b: A Prograde Neptune in a ∼ 60 Myr Old Multi-transiting System*
Authors: Wirth Christopher P. , Zhou George , Quinn Samuel N. , Mann Andrew W. , Bouma Luke G. , Latham David W. , Teske Johanna K. , Wang Sharon X. , Shectman Stephen A. , Butler R. P. , Crane Jeffrey D.
Published: August 2021

Mapping the orbital obliquity distribution of young planets is one avenue toward understanding mechanisms that sculpt the architectures of planetary systems. TOI-942 is a young field star, with an age of ∼60 Myr, hosting a planetary system consisting of two transiting Neptune-sized planets in 4.3 and 10.1 day period orbits. We observed the spectroscopic transits of the inner Neptune TOI-942b to determine its projected orbital obliquity angle. Through two partial transits, we find the planet to be in a prograde orbit, with a projected obliquity angle of

∣
λ
∣
=

1

−
33

+
41

deg. In addition, incorporating the light curve and the stellar rotation period, we find the true 3D obliquity to be

2

−
23

+
27

deg. We explored various sources of uncertainties specific to the spectroscopic transits of planets around young active stars, and showed that our reported obliquity uncertainty fully encompassed these effects. TOI-942b is one of the youngest planets to have its obliquity characterized, and one of even fewer residing in a multi-planet system. The prograde orbital geometry of TOI-942b is in line with systems of similar ages, none of which have yet been identified to be in strongly misaligned orbits.
The Detection of Ionized Carbon Emission at z ∼ 8*
Authors: Topping Michael W. , Shapley Alice E. , Stark Daniel P. , Endsley Ryan , Robertson Brant , Greene Jenny E. , Furlanetto Steven R. , Tang Mengtao
Published: August 2021

We present deep Keck/MOSFIRE H-band spectroscopic observations covering the [C iii],C iii]λλ1907, 1909 doublet for three z ∼ 8 galaxy candidates in the AEGIS field. Along with nondetections in two galaxies, we obtain one of the highest-redshift detections to date of [C iii]λ1907 for the galaxy AEGIS-33376, finding z
spec = 7.945 ± 0.001. We measure a [C iii]λ1907 flux of 2.24 ± 0.71 × 10−18erg s−1cm−2, corresponding to a rest-frame equivalent width of 20.3 ± 6.5 Å for the single line. Given the not very constraining upper limit for C iii]λ1909 based on strong sky-line contamination, we assume a [C iii]λ1907/C iii]λ1909 doublet ratio of 1.5 and infer a total [C iii][C iii]λλ1907, 1909 equivalent width of 33.7 ± 10.8 Å. We repeat the same reductions and analysis on multiple subsets of our raw data divided on the basis of time and observing conditions, verifying that the [C iii]λ1907 emission is present for AEGIS-33376 throughout our observations. We also confirm that the significance of the [C iii]λ1907 detection in different subsets of our data tracks that of brighter emission features detected on the same multi-slit mask. These multiple tests suggest that the observed emission line is real and associated with the z ∼ 8 target. The strong observed [C iii],C iii]λλ1907, 1909 in AEGIS-33376 likely indicates ISM conditions of low metallicity, high ionization parameter, and a hard ionizing spectrum, although AGN contributions are possible. This single detection represents a sizable increase in the current sample [C iii],C iii]λλ1907, 1909 detections at z > 7, while JWST will provide the first statistical samples of such measurements at these redshifts.
Lucy Mission to the Trojan Asteroids: Instrumentation and Encounter Concept of Operations
Authors: Olkin Catherine B. , Levison Harold F. , Vincent Michael , Noll Keith S. , Andrews John , Gray Sheila , Good Phil , Marchi Simone , Christensen Phil , Reuter Dennis , Weaver Harold , Pätzold Martin , Bell III James F. , Hamilton Victoria E. , Dello Russo Neil , Simon Amy , Beasley Matt , Grundy Will , Howett Carly , Spencer John , Ravine Michael , Caplinger Michael
Published: August 2021

The Lucy Mission accomplishes its science during a series of five flyby encounters with seven Trojan asteroid targets. This mission architecture drives a concept of operations design that maximizes science return, provides redundancy in observations where possible, features autonomous fault protection, and utilizes onboard target tracking near closest approach. These design considerations reduce risk during the relatively short time-critical periods when science data is collected. The payload suite consists of a color camera and infrared imaging spectrometer, a high-resolution panchromatic imager, and a thermal infrared spectrometer. The mission design allows for concurrent observations of all instruments. Additionally, two spacecraft subsystems will also contribute to the science investigations: the Terminal Tracking Cameras will obtain wide field-of-view imaging near closest approach to determine the shape of each of the Trojan targets and the telecommunication subsystem will carry out Doppler tracking of the spacecraft to determine the mass of each of the Trojan targets.
Siderite Dissolution in Mars-analog Brines: Kinetics and Reaction Products
Authors: Cullen M. D. , Phillips-Lander C. M. , Elwood Madden A. S. , Elwood Madden M. E.
Published: August 2021

This study examines siderite (FeCO3) reactivity in MgCl2 and MgSO4 brines with varying salt concentrations (0.01M, 1M, and 3M) at both acidic (pH ∼ 2 and pH ≤ 2) and near-neutral (pH ∼ 7) conditions. We measured aqueous Fe concentrations through time to determine dissolution rates and characterized the solid reaction products with scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Iron-based siderite dissolution rates at pH 2 were equivalent in the 0.01M and 1M MgSO4 brines and slower in 3M MgSO4; rates in the MgCl2 brines slow systematically with increasing brine concentration for equivalent initial pH values. Fe-based dissolution rates could not be determined in the neutral pH experiments due to precipitation of iron (hydr)oxide phases. After 1 day in acidic brines, abundant etch pits were observed; however, in the neutral experiments, siderite was identified with Raman spectroscopy even after 1 yr of dissolution along with a range of iron (hydr)oxide phases. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of the neutral experiment products found Mg-sulfate brines produced a chaotic surface texture. Therefore, micron-scale textural observations could be used to discriminate between alteration in chloride and sulfate brines. Initial iron release rates were similar in dilute brines, but decreased by less than an order of magnitude in the two highest-concentration pH 2 brine experiments; therefore, siderite-bearing assemblages exposed to acidic fluids, regardless of salinity, would likely dissolve completely over geologically short periods of time, thus erasing siderite and likely other carbonate minerals from the geologic record.
An extraordinary new species of Deuteragenia Šustera, 1912 (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) from Indonesia
Authors: Loktionov Valery M.
Published: August 2021

Deuteragenia lelejisp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on a female from Sumatra, Indonesia. This extraordinary species possesses a peculiar character, cleft tarsal claws, recorded for the first time in the genus Deuteragenia Šustera, 1912 and the tribe Deuterageniini Šustera, 1912. The genus Deuteragenia is newly reported from the island of Sumatra.
New and little-known bees of the genus Hylaeus Fabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera, Colletidae) from the Caucasus region
Authors: Proshchalykin Maxim Yu. , Dathe Holger H.
Published: August 2021

New records on 32 species of the genusHylaeusFabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) from the Caucasus region are presented.Hylaeus alieviDathe & Proshchalykin,sp. nov.is described from Azerbaijan. Eight species are newly recorded from the Caucasus:Hylaeus araxanus(Warncke, 1981),H. excelsus(Alfken, 1936),H. intermediusFörster, 1871,H. iranicusDathe, 1980,H. kotschisus(Warncke, 1981),H. oblitus(Warncke, 1972),H. soror(Pérez, 1903), andH. trifidus(Alfken, 1936). In addition, ten species are newly recorded for Armenia, nine for Azerbaijan, four for Russia, and one for Georgia. An updated checklist of the 54 species ofHylaeusso far known from the Caucasus region is provided.
Review of the genus Toxeuma Walker, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) from Russia, with a key to Palaearctic species
Authors: Tselikh Ekaterina V. , Dale-Skey Natalie
Published: August 2021

Species of the genus Toxeuma Walker, 1833 from Russia are reviewed. A new species, Toxeuma leleji Tselikh, sp. nov., is described from the Russian Far East. Toxeuma fuscicorne Walker, 1833 and T. styliclava (Hedqvist, 1974) are recorded for the first time from Russia; Toxeuma acilius (Walker, 1848) – for the first time for Western and Eastern Siberia and the European part of Russia; Toxeuma paludum Graham, 1959 – for the first time for Western and Eastern Siberia; Toxeuma subtruncatum Graham, 1959 – for the first time for Primorskii Region. An identification key to females of all Palaearctic species of Toxeuma is provided.
The paradox of the velvet-ant (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae)
Authors: Schmidt Justin O. , Schmidt Li S. , Schmidt Deborah K.
Published: August 2021

Female diurnal velvet-ants are among the insects most strongly protected against predation. These protections include an exceedingly hard and tightly fitting integument, powerful legs and rapid running ability, aposematic color, aposematic warning stridulation, aposematic odor, and, most famously, legendarily powerful stings. Small to medium-sized velvet-ants were rarely injured or killed in tests against potential predators. Velvet-ant stings are painful, often exceedingly so, but have low toxicity or lethality and are of defensive value primarily by causing intense pain. Despite being well defended against predators they do not form night-time resting aggregations that might enhance mutual protection.
Effects of Training on Side-Scan Sonar Use as a Fish Survey Tool: A Case Study of Alligator Gar
Authors: Fleming B. Paul , Daugherty Daniel J.
Published: August 2021

Consumer-grade side-scan sonar has become a versatile fisheries management tool. First applied to assess habitat, its use has expanded to surveying fishes in recent years. However, an important consideration is the skill and experience of users, which can affect both the accuracy and comparability of surveys. To this end, we characterized the ability of a small sample of novice users (N = 8) to identify Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula in imagery, as well as the effect of a 2-h training exercise on user performance. Prior to training, mean accuracy (expressed as the difference between observed and expected counts) among participants ranged from −2.6 to 1.3 fish and precision ranged from ±1.2 to ±2.4 fish, with the majority of participants underestimating the number of Alligator Gar present in the imagery. False positives (i.e., identifying Alligator Gar in imagery when none were present) were common among participants. Posttraining mean accuracy ranged from −3.1 to 0 among participants and precision ranged from ±1.6 to ±3.2 fish. The frequency of false positives was significantly reduced following training, and participants reported significant increases in confidence associated with image interpretation. The relatively high accuracy and precision we observed prior to training indicated that side-scan sonar can be easily incorporated into large-scale fishery monitoring efforts for Alligator Gar. However, our results also suggested that a rather minimal investment in training can further improve consistency and reduce uncertainty among novice users.
Mixed Methods and Off/On-Line Research
Authors: Bagnini Eugenio , Russo Giovanna
Published: August 2021

The chapter proposes a methodological consideration on the use of mixed methods and the social opportunities of digital technologies in sports and wellness practices. The research carried out tries to answer the following question: What are the social repercussions and body care practices allowed by digital technologies in the field of sports and physical activities for well-being? The contribution investigates the relationship that is established between practitioners of individual fitness and wellness sports activities, mainly in gyms, and the changes attributable to HTI (human technology interactions) with digital devices (apps and participation in online groups). Through a qualitative-quantitative methodology approach, the multifunctionality of the aforementioned digital tools (on a mediatic, playful, and technological level) were observed in order to verify whether the convergence between digital and sports social worlds is an instrument of only subjective well-being or may indeed prove as a new collective way of sharing, participating in, and adopting healthy practices.
The Relevance of Relational Ontologies in Driving New Methodological Approaches in Virtual and Digital Contexts
Authors: Scarano Monica C.
Published: August 2021

Qualitative methods are traditionally roots in the anthropological person-centered field. In a virtual and digitalized society, the presence and the agency of technology and devices need to be considered as well. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute conceptually to the reflection of a different ontological perspective in qualitative research. After presenting some qualitative methods centered on humanist ontology and its limits in a virtual and digital society, the author explains the interest to adopt relational ontologies to adapt some qualitative methods in order to overcome the previous limits. This chapter deals with emerging qualitative methods linked to relational ontologies that move away from the individualistic vision of the consumer and also focus on the technological object.
Web Service Discovery Approaches for Dynamic Mobile Environment
Authors: Garba Salisu , Mohamad Radziah , Saadon Nor Azizah
Published: August 2021

Mobile web service (MWS) discovery is taking a new direction due to the explosion of users accessing mobile services using diverse mobile devices, coupled with the persistent changes in a dynamic mobile environment (DME). This leads to renewed adoption of lightweight solutions for the identification of the most suitable web services that correspond with the service requests. Contemporary mobile web service discovery approaches are plagued with performance and accuracy problems and are rarely compatible with the DME. The objective of this systematic literature review is to develop a more rigorous understanding and identify recent research trends in mobile web service discovery techniques in a dynamic mobile environment. This review followed the systematic literature review (SLR) guidelines. Essential information was extracted from the 76 relevant articles in line with the formulated questions and finally reported after in-depth analysis. The results of this study discuss the critical contributions and limitations of the proposed approaches.
Application of Morphosyntactic Cues in Detection of GOAL Semantic Role
Authors: Preradovic Nives Mikelic , Lauc Tomislava , Unic Danijela
Published: August 2021

This paper analyzes the semantics of verbs with the prefix “do-” and explains the adlativity feature based on the morpho-syntactically annotated corpus hrWaC and handcrafted verb valency frames. The work aims to automatically add all types of adlativity to Croatian verb valency lexicon. As a result, it was revealed that if a language resource encodes “do-” as the adlative prefix in Croatian as a source language, then the adlative meaning in the target language can be assumed as well. Using the valency frame transition rules for language pairs, it is possible to design matching verb valency frames in other languages and consequently describe each verb and its translation by semantic roles (agent, patient, direction-to, and goal) and by selectional restrictions.
Healthcare Information Technology
Authors: Baretić Maja , Protrka Nikola
Published: August 2021

The term “health information technology” (health IT) refers to the electronic systems that store, share, analyze, and protect electronic health records. It includes also electronic prescribing, knowledge sharing, patient support tools, and mobile health technology together with decision-making algorithms. The privacy, security, and ethics of health information are priority for both patients and healthcare providers. The health IT is a target for cyber-criminals; stolen health information, or blackmailing via different kind of cryptolockers, is good on the black market. While the healthcare industry relies more on technology, cyber-attacks are threatening health IT. This article argues health IT issues from two perspectives. The first one is a physician's point of view aiming to improve quality of care using fast and accurate health IT. The second is the standpoint of cyber-security specialists aiming to protect data form cyber-criminals, continually developing new strategies and best practices.
Consumer Behavior Towards Delicatessen Products and Branding Influence
Authors: Baziana Sotiria , Tzimitra-Kalogianni Eirini , Batzios Aristotelis , Tremma Ourania
Published: August 2021

It is a fact that branding is a tool for the business to get stronger and also embrace sustainability, which can apply to the delicatessen product market. In addition, the demand of delicatessen products has increased as new trends emerged. Greek businesses have successfully entered the market, advertising the superiority of delicatessen products. The aim of this paper is to provide better understanding of consumer behaviour towards delicatessen products. This is achieved through the views of market experts and a research on consumers investigating how branding influences them. The findings show that there are differences between market experts' opinions and consumers' preferences, which can contribute to the holistic development of the delicatessen market. Finally, this study may provide a basis for a survey of a larger sample of delicatessen firms nationwide and contributes important knowledge to enhance further development in the delicatessen sector and in the management and marketing approach of the market of Thessaloniki.
Creating Sustainable Agriculture Supply Chain Ecosystem for Remunerative Markets Under Changing Climate in Uttarakhand
Authors: Trivedi Shantanu , Sunder Raju Ganesh
Published: August 2021

Major issues in the sustainable development agenda include how to ensure the involvement of producers. Little research has been done of the agricultural supply chain to identify what adaptive measures are being considered or have already been taken for creating remunerative markets. Based on discussions with producers, processors, and retailers from Uttarakhand and nearby regions, this study examines to what extent the Uttarakhand agricultural supply chain ecosystem can sustain and transform with climate change. Perhaps farmers are implicitly taking initiatives to adapt to climate change. These include changing sowing and harvesting timing, cultivation of crops of short duration varieties, inter-cropping, organic farming, agritourism, contract farming, and food processing. These changes may be considered as passive responses or adaptation strategies to climate change. Currently, agricultural practices and policies are perceived as a greater adaptation challenge than climate change, and extra efforts are required to create a remunerative agricultural supply chain ecosystem.
Rethinking Advertising as a Mitigative Model for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Park David J.
Published: August 2021

Multiple studies find the production and consumption of goods and services central in producing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause global warming. Advertising, which continues to expand globally, creates demand to encourage the consumption of these goods and services, and thus contributes to the environmental crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified a knowledge gap for new policy-driven models that can reduce GHG emissions by creating incentives to improve manufacturing production processes in addition to reducing product demand. This paper is a response to the IPCC's findings and introduces a mitigative model for advertising. It outlines a new structure that considers environmental sustainability as a potential mitigative strategy to create incentives to lower GHG emissions.
Factors Affecting the Hazardous Waste Management Practices in Heavy Industries
Authors: Gunawardana Kennedy Degaulle , Jayasinghe Chamari K. , Gunarathne A. D. Nuwan
Published: August 2021

Among the different types of waste, hazardous waste poses a serious challenge to humans and the environment if not properly managed. Although many industries generate hazardous waste in various degrees, heavy industries generate the largest volume of hazardous waste. While hazardous waste management (HWM) has been studied well in many industry sectors and countries, it is not so with heavy industries in developing countries. The purpose of this paper was therefore to identify the factors affecting the HWM practices in heavy industries in Sri Lanka. The data was collected from 40 companies in ten different industrial categories of heavy industry. The respondent was the environmental officer of each company. The analysis reveals that technological facilities, public resistance, company policy, and economic factors affect the HWM practices in heavy industries in Sri Lanka. This study has several policy level and managerial implications for HWM in heavy industries to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development.
Mechanism of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of TLR4-Interacting SPA4 Peptide
Authors: Awasthi Shanjana , Kumar Gaurav , Ramani Vijay , Awasthi Vibhudutta , Rodgers Karla K , Xie Jun , Beierle Jacob , Kyere-Davies Gertrude , Singh Bhupinder , Rahman Negar , Chowdhury Asif Alam , Chataut Neha
Published: August 2021

The TLR4-interacting SPA4 peptide suppresses inflammation. We assessed the structural and physicochemical properties and binding of SPA4 peptide to TLR4–MD2. We also studied the changes at the whole transcriptome level, cell morphology, viability, secreted cytokines and chemokines, and cell influx in cell systems and mouse models challenged with LPS and treated with SPA4 peptide. Our results demonstrated that the SPA4 peptide did not alter the cell viability and size and only moderately affected the transcriptome of the cells. Computational docking and rendering suggested that the SPA4 peptide intercalates with LPS-induced TLR4–MD2 complex. Results with alanine mutations of D-2 amino acid and NYTXXXRG-12-19 motif of SPA4 peptide suggested their role in binding to TLR4 and in reducing the cytokine response against LPS stimulus. Furthermore, therapeutically administered SPA4 peptide significantly suppressed the secreted levels of cytokines and chemokines in cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of LPS-challenged mice. The results suggest that the SPA4 peptide intercalates with LPS-induced TLR4 complex and signaling for the suppression of inflammation.
Lo scompenso cardiaco a 360 gradi
Authors: Gnerre Guest Editors: Paola , Di Pasquale Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

M. Meschi, P. Gnerre, A. Casola

G. Di Pasquale

Il paziente con scompenso cardiaco come paradigma del paziente complesso: il corretto uso dei diuretici ed il blocco sequenziale del nefroneA. Cinque, C. Tarsia, A.G. Posteraro, S. Bianchi, A. Gaspardone

Scompenso cardiaco: differenze di genere?R. Falzone, L. Lenzi, C. Politi

Opportunità terapeutiche nel paziente con scompenso cardiaco cronico a frazione d’eiezione depressaA. Navazio, M. Piepoli, G.Q. Villani, G. Halasz, G. Tortorella

Opportunità terapeutiche nel paziente con scompenso cardiaco diastolicoA. Cabassi, G. Regolisti

Scompenso cardiaco: rivalutazione della terapia in fase di ospedalizzazioneF. Corradi, I. Lamberti, G. Gelati, S. Massini

I peptidi natriuretici nella diagnosi e nella stratificazione del rischio nei pazienti con scompenso cardiacoA. Montagnani, L. Luschi, F. Pirrotta, A. Palazzuoli

L’educazione terapeutica nel paziente scompensatoM.D. Corbo, E. Vitale, M. Correale, N.D. Brunetti, M. Iacoviello

Il modello del disease management nella gestione dello scompenso cardiacoO. Para

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza dell’AO Ordine Mauriziano di TorinoC. Norbiato, L. Arnaldi, S. Marengo, M. Tricarico, M. Daddea, C. Garza, E. Irene, P. Paolì

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza dell’ASST RhodenseS.A. Berra

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza di PalmanovaC. Battello

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza dell’AUSL di BolognaS. Urbinati, M. Ongari

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza delle Aziende USL della ToscanaA. Fortini, G. Tintori, M. Alessandri

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza marchigianaN. Tarquinio

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza savonese. Il progetto PONTEP. Gnerre, M. Pivari, E. Monaco, M.C. Pistone, M. Basso, P. Bellone, A. Visconti, B. Sardo, B. Zanella, A.M. Saccone, A. Piras, A. Santo, F. Bernardi, S. Lapponia, E. Montanari, R. Rapetti, R. Tassara, L. Parodi

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza campanaF. Gallucci

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza puglieseF. Mastroianni, G. Larizza, F. D’Onofrio, A. Belfiore, M.V. Palma, S. Cataldi

Modelli a confronto nei percorsi gestionali dello scompenso cardiaco: l’esperienza di Sassari. Il progetto LEAPC.A. Usai, F.L. Bandiera

Il ruolo delle cure palliative nello scompenso cardiaco end-stageC. Santini, M.S. Fiore
Raw and processed electroencephalography in modern anesthesia practice: a brief primer on select clinical applications
Authors: Lee Ki Hwa , Egan Talmage D , Johnson Ken B
Published: August 2021

The evidence supporting the intraoperative use of processed electroencephalography (pEEG) monitoring to guide anesthetic delivery is growing rapidly. This article reviews the key features of electroencephalography (EEG) waveforms and their clinical implications in select patient populations and anesthetic techniques. The first patient topic reviewed is the vulnerable brain. This term has emerged as a description of patients who may exhibit increased sensitivity to anesthetics and/or may develop adverse neurocognitive effects following anesthesia. pEEG monitoring of patients who are known to have or are suspected of having vulnerable brains, with focused attention on the suppression ratio, alpha band power, and pEEG indices, may prove useful. Second, pEEG monitoring along with vigilant attention to anesthetic delivery may minimize the risk of intraoperative awareness when administering a total intravenous anesthesia in combination with a neuromuscular blockade. Third, we suggest that processed EEG monitoring may play a role in anesthetic and resuscitative management when adverse changes in blood pressure occur. Fourth, pEEG monitoring can be used to better identify anesthesia requirements and guide anesthetic titration in patients with known or suspected substance use.
Standard Manufacturing Procedure of Bhallataka Kshara (Herbo-mineral Prepation)
Authors: Jawanjal Pravin , Patgiri Bishwajyoti , Savrikar S S
Published: August 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.) Kshara is mentioned in Charaka Samhita Grahani Chikista Adhyaya. It is indicated in Hridaroga (heart diseases), Pandu (anemia), Grahani dosha (bowl disorder), and Gulma (abdominal distention).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Bhallataka Kshara is prepared by Putapaka (incineration) method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The method of preparation needs a strong heat (Prakhar agni), and hence, a temperature of 650°C was maintained.

CONCLUSION:

There is a 69.37% of loss in terms of yield in the preparation of Bhallataka Kshara in the electrical muffle furnace mentioned at 650°C.
Acute brain stem vertigo without neurological deficits
Authors: Swain Santosh Kumar
Published: August 2021

An infarct at the brain stem or cerebellum is rarely associated with vertigo without any other localizing clinical features. Stroke at the posterior circulation of the brain may cause spontaneous vertigo and imbalance. In some cases, isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery infraction presents isolated vertigo and nystagmus. The diagnosis of the brain stem vertigo can be done easily when associated with other neurological symptoms along with vertigo, whereas, when the vertigo occurs in isolation, it may be difficult to differentiate it from the other benign disorders affecting the inner ear. A head impulse test may differentiate the acute isolated vertigo with cerebellar stroke from more benign disorders associated with labyrinth. Appropriate evaluation of the patient is better than imaging for diagnosis of the brain stem vertigo. Here, we are presenting a case of isolated acute onset of the vertigo due to brain stem infarct which mimics to the peripheral vestibular pathology.
A Case of Refractory T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Coexisting with ZMYM2-Fibroblastic Growth Factor Receptor-1 Fusion-Related Myeloproliferative Disease and Review of Literatures
Authors: Yu Tsung-Ying , Huang Tzu-Chuan , Wu Yi-Ying
Published: August 2021

T-cell LBL (T-LBL) is a rare lymphoma subtype in adults, and it usually has a dismal prognosis compared to other subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here, we present a unique case of T-LBL with myeloproliferative disease. A distinct fusion gene of ZMYM2-FGFR1 translocation was detected through next-generation sequencing, and this might be correlated with the translocation of chromosomes 8 and 13 (t[8;13]). Her disease condition seemed to be refractory to multiple lines of chemotherapy. Her lymphoma finally achieved a complete remission after a matched related allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Rotating Shift Work, Sleep, and Accidents Related to Sleepiness in Doctors
Authors: Deolia Shravani , Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Nimbhorkar Gargi S. , Pachuau Christina L. , Yangad Angel S. , Nimbulkar Gargi , Basu Sanjana S.
Published: August 2021

Background:

Rotating shift work refers to a way of organizing daily working hours in which different persons or teams work in succession to cover more than the usual 8 h per day, up to and including the whole 24 h. Studies have been conducted for examining the effects of rotating shifts on an employee's performance and well-being. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of rotating shift work, sleep, and accidents related to sleepiness in doctors.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on doctors of a Tertiary Care Hospital. A close-ended questionnaire containing 25 questions was distributed to doctors (residents and interns) who worked rotating shifts. Questions presented were regarding sleep disturbances, sleeping aids or countermeasures to get to sleep; and accidents or errors in the past year including automobile accidents and medical and procedural errors that the doctors had reported to have occurred because of sleepiness due to rotating shifts. The data collected were analyzed by SPSS version 21 (SPSS statistics IBM Corporation).

Results:

Doctors reporting to night shifts suffered from decreased and disturbed sleep, irritability, fatigue, and poor reflexes. According to our study, almost all the subjects suffered from poor work and sleep quality due to their changing work shifts.

Conclusion:

Rotating work shifts have a direct effect on workability and quality and amount of sleep in doctors.
A Comprehensive Insights into Oral Health in COVID-19
Authors: Sree P. Charulata , Sunantha S. P. , Suvvari Tarun Kumar
Published: August 2021

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the most probable route of entrance for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is suggested to be that of oral mucosa as it contains angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, which acts as a cellular doorway for the entry of the virus. Anti-viral and broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat COVID-19 can be responsible for oral problems associated with soft tissue, saliva production, and neurological-based oral sensations reported even in fully recovered patients. Oral manifestations like loss of taste (complete ageusia or partial hypogeusia) and altered taste were most common, followed by various lesions and plaques affecting the intraoral site. Poor oral hygiene can lead to complications in patients suffering from systemic diseases such as diabetes, kidney, and liver disease. Since oral health has a significant impact on a patient's general health, improved oral hygiene can significantly decrease the risk of oropharyngeal colonization and respiratory complications, especially in the elderly and patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Due to the high risk of COVID-19 transmission among dentists and patients, it is important to re-design recommendations to oral medicine and dentists working in the hospital setting to manage oral manifestations. Oral health-related quality of life is an all-encompassing term used to denote how one's oral health impacts on their ability to function normally can be a crucial subjective measure to analyze oral health during these challenging times.
Prevalence of Oral Submucous Fibrosis in Relation to Habits among High School Children of Kanpur City
Authors: Srivastava Rahul , Wazir Sartaj S. , Pradhan Devina , Sharma Lokesh , Kumar Rohit , Kumari Priyanka
Published: August 2021

Background:

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic insidious disease that affects oral cavity, may also involve pharynx or esophagus, and may be associated with vesicle formation. The present study aimed to determine prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis among school children in Kanpur city through cross-sectional study and its association with various type of quid and areca nut chewing habit.

Materials and Methods:

In different urban and rural educational areas of the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. Data on consumption of areca nut were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire based on demographic characteristics, areca nut use, daily frequency of areca nut chewing, other ingredients mixed with nut, tobacco use (smoking and/or chewing), age of initiation of nut chewing, reasons for use, social influence factors, and risk perceptions. All oral examinations were done by specialist examiners who were familiar with oral mucosal lesions in the local population.

Results:

The results from this study shows that the areca nut chewing habit is significant among school children of rural areas as compare to urban areas in Kanpur district. No female subject was found to be suffering from OSMF in both the urban as well as rural areas however 27 (3.41%) male subjects were found to be suffering from OSMF.

Conclusion:

In order to spread awareness through educational programs, newspapers, and mass media in neighborhoods and classrooms, steps should be taken at the public health level.
Prevalence and Distribution of Tobacco Intake in Various Districts of Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Singh Malvika
Published: August 2021

Background:

India is one of the top three tobacco burden countries in the world. Tobacco intake causes loss of health and environment and increases the financial burden of an individual. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of tobacco intake among individuals of more than 15 years of age in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Subjects and Methods:

District-wise data from the National Health Survey-5, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 2019–2020, were collected, analyzed, and measured. Data collected were entered and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24.0 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Various districts were diagrammatically color coded and described.

Results:

Out of all the 20 districts in J and K, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was highest in Kupwara district (56.6%) and lowest in Jammu district (26.6%).

Conclusions:

People should be made more aware about the ill effects of tobacco usage. Although the Government of India enacted various legislations to control tobacco use, its reduction lies in our hands and the same should be discussed with general masses by making them aware about the menace of tobacco on mental, environmental, and health of an individual.
Ultrabiomicroscopic imaging of choroidal metastases underlying an anterior scleritis
Authors: Garza-Garza Lucas A. , Ruiz-Lozano Raul E. , Ramos-Davila Eugenia M. , Alvarez-Guzman Carlos
Published: August 2021

Tumor-associated masquerading anterior scleritis (AS) is a rare syndrome with few case reports in the medical literature. Imaging studies play a crucial role in the correct diagnosis of this entity. Ultrabiomicroscopy (UBM) is a vital imaging tool in the study of anterior segment lesions and enables early diagnosis and treatment in these patients. We report the clinical and ultrabiomicroscopic findings of a patient with tumor-associated masquerading AS due to choroidal metastases from lung adenocarcinoma. A 65-year-old male patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma in remission presented with red eye and intense pain in his left eye refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. An AS was diagnosed and after no treatment response, ocular ultrasound (US), and UBM were ordered. Choroidal metastases were evidenced underlying the exact area of scleral inflammation. While the characteristics of metastases by US match those previously reported in the literature, UBM reveals novel characteristics, such as irregular thickening, intralesional heterogeneity, and a “lumpy-bumpy” pattern.