bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Computing
Authors: J. Hemalatha J. , Chokkalingam Bala Subramanian , V. Vivek , Mohan Sekar
Published: November 2022

During the present span, researchers are developing artificial intelligence and network-enabled sensor-based algorithms for various human-centric smart systems such as driverless cars, smart healthcare, virtual reality, and e-commerce personalized shopping. In the course of the last year, software entity hawkers are wrapping AI into business classes. This chapter is organized into three phases. In the first phase, the authors provide a deep view on architecture of cognitive computing. Then they provide some applications of Cognitive AI. Basically, knowledge-based suits are emerging over a couple of diverse functional usage scenarios: 1) computerizing everyday easy tasks, which consume time and 2) offering significant data to the user application. The application instances can pioneer possibilities to expand the yield and decision-making accuracy. In the third phase, the authors provide some fruitful ongoing research in cognitive computing.
Harnessing the IoT-Based Activity Trackers and Sensors for Cognitive Assistance in COVID-19
Authors: Dulhare Uma N. , Rasool Shaik
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic raised the need for harnessing digital infrastructure for many healthcare services like appointment scheduling, surveillance, and checking the patients remotely. A digital platform is needed that should be reliable for disease identification and monitoring using IoT, which can compensate for vital activities like the slow rate of viral tests and vaccine development also recognized as apt technology for bridging various devices. Although the technology has been used to connect the daily activities with the physical metrics, forecasting of COVID-19 is very vital and necessary. The fitness measures like body temperature, heartbeat rate, SPo2 from wearable devices can be used to alert the users. Groups of affected individuals can be remotely checked, and data can be collected to analyse the rate of transmission and symptoms. This chapter emphasizes harnessing the potential of IoT by comprehending the importance of IoT in various domains and its various applications. It will explore various IoT devices and focus on challenges and advantages and security aspects.
Feasibility and Necessity of Affective Computing in Emotion Sensing of Drivers for Improved Road Safety
Authors: Nareshkumar R. , Suseela G. , Nimala K. , Niranjana G.
Published: November 2022

The development of the automobile industry and civilian infrastructures improved the lifestyles of everyone in the world. In parallel to the rise in quality of life of everyone, the number of road accidents also rose. The major reason behind road accidents is emotional factors of the drivers. The emotional imbalance will influence the drivers to abandon the traffic rules, neglect speed limits, cross the signals, cross the lane, etc. Recently automobile industries have extended their researches to the development of emotion sensing systems and embedding them inside the vehicles using affective computing technology to mitigate the road accidents. These emotion sensing systems will be decisive and act as human-like driver-assistive systems in alarming the drivers. This chapter focuses on bringing out the feasibility and existing challenges of affective computing in sensing the emotional factors of drivers for improved road safety.
Robust Dimensionality Reduction
Authors: Kalina Jan
Published: November 2022

With the increasing availability of massive data in various fields of applications such as engineering, economics, or biomedicine, there appears an urgent need for new reliable tools for obtaining relevant knowledge from such data, which allow one to find and interpret the most relevant features (variables). Such interpretation is however infeasible for the habitually used methods of machine learning, which can be characterized as black boxes. This chapter is devoted to variable selection methods for finding the most relevant variables for the given task. After explaining general principles, attention is paid to robust approaches, which are suitable for data contaminated by outlying values (outliers). Three main approaches to variable selection (prior, intrinsic, and posterior) are explained, and their recently proposed examples are illustrated on applications related to credit risk management and molecular genetics. These examples reveal recent robust approaches to data analysis to be able to outperform non-robust tools.
Bioenergy
Authors: Avhad Shweta Arun
Published: November 2022

As we know that escalating population demand and technological advancement lead us towards a new world dominion power, but with that, there is huge pressure on resources due to an increase in consumption at all levels globally. This leads to revamping environmental motifs all over the world and non-renewable sources are estimated to be not rehabilitating soon. In this case, bio-energy is energy presented as a major opportunity to address the issues of climate change by reducing carbon emissions. This chapter explore bioenergy.
Green House Gases
Authors: S. Kannadhasan , R. Nagarajan
Published: November 2022

Changes in weather patterns over decades or longer periods of time are referred to as climate change. Natural and human forces both contribute to climate change. Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have contributed to climate change through emitting greenhouse gases and aerosols, as well as changing land use, leading global temperatures to rise. More storms, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels may result from increasing global temperatures and the melting of ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers. The sun's rays supply energy to the whole world. GHGs are required to trap heat and maintain a temperature that permits life to flourish on the planet. The greenhouse effect is a natural and necessary occurrence for life on Earth to survive. If the greenhouse effect did not exist, the world would be around 33°C cooler right now. Humans have contributed to the increase in atmospheric GHGs via rising fossil fuel usage and deforestation in recent decades. Increased GHG emissions have been the primary cause of global warming during the last century.
Recent Advancements in Microalgae-Biofuel Generation Employing Nano-Additives
Authors: Pattabhiramaiah Mahesh , Rajarathinam Bhargavi , Mallikarjunaiah Shanthala
Published: November 2022

Biofuels have gained significant interest as an alternative fuel in recent years owing to their environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to blend with traditional fuels like gasoline without requiring engine modifications. The use of microalgae for biofuel production is universally preferred due to its energy efficiency and environmental sustainability; current research is geared towards enhancing the production of microalgae-biofuel from the initial stages to the final product as it is a cost-effective fuel option. The use of different types of nano-additives at different stages of microalgae cultivation and incorporation into biofuel produced noteworthy improvements in the final product. This chapter focuses on the prospective uses of nano-additives in microalgae cultivation, microalgal biomass conversion to biofuels, and biofuel combustion improvement for revolutionary advancements in biofuel technology.
Macroalgae-Based Bioethanol
Authors: Kolpe Sakshi , Khade Shankar Mukundrao , Nile Shivraj
Published: November 2022

The chapter discusses the methods effective for the extraction of useful energy from the macroalgae biomass including liquefaction, anaerobic digestion, fermentation to biobutanol, trans-esterification to biodiesel, pyrolysis, direct combustion, fermentation to bioethanol, and gasification. However, if the algae are suited for the production of biodiesel, they can be studied from the content of their triacylglycerols (TAGs). Due to having high fatty acid content, they have a high conversion rate to biodiesel, and the lack of sulphur, phosphorus, and nitrogen also aids in the conversion. This chapter highlights the limitations and suitability of macroalgae for the conversion process in reference to chemical composition, process optimization, and cost effectiveness. It is concluded that bio-oils and bioethanol produced from wet macroalgae are considered over biodiesel production because of high lipid content of microalgae biomass. Moreover, the chapter considers electricity production from the dry mass as it would turn profitable, and this can be achieved from fast-growing macroalgae like “Ulva.”
Microalgae Biofuels
Authors: Tanwer Naresh , Arora Vaishali , Bumbra Priyanka , Grewal Kiran , Laura Jitender Singh , Khosla Babita
Published: November 2022

Development of sustainable energy resources is a major concern in front of the scientific community and stakeholders in this field. Invariably, fossil fuels are utilized to meet the major part of energy demand all over the world, but their stocks are limited. Burning of fossil fuels also causes significant environmental pollution that results in drastic climate change. There is an emergent need of an alternative to fulfill the current energy demand in a sustainable way along with sorting out the pollution issues. Microbial biofuels could be the most appropriate choice in this regard because it bears enormous potential that needs to be exploited. But it has some challenging issues to employ it to meet out the current energy demands. This chapter illustrates the microbial biofuels, harvesting techniques, different process, and potential to utilize them as sustainable energy sources along with considerable challenges that need to be addressed to make it an eco-friendly and economic fuel choice to pave the path of sustainable development.
Microbial Cellulase in the Production of Second Generation Biofuels
Authors: Trbojević-Ivić Jovana
Published: November 2022

Bioethanol from inedible cellulose-rich biomass is the most promising candidate to replace fast depleting, environmentally polluting fossil fuels. Hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose is the crucial step in its biotransformation to bioethanol. Enzymatic hydrolysis is favored over acid hydrolysis, as enzymes are eco-friendly biocatalysts with high substrate specificity and superior catalytic efficiency in mild reaction conditions. Complete hydrolysis of cellulose is achieved by cellulase. Higher cellulase production yield, stability, and catalytic efficiency are the main attentive points for the successful implementation in industrial production of bioethanol. This chapter will highlight general characteristics of microbial cellulases and their role in the bioconversion of cellulose to biofuels, economic sustainability of cellulose-based biofuels, and the latest innovations in cellulase immobilization as the most comprehensive strategy for improvement of enzyme stability, activity, and reusability for cost-effective large-scale application.
Comparative Studies on Neem and Jatropha Oil-Derived Biodiesels
Authors: Kulkarni Sunil , Goswami Ajaygiri , Usmani Ghayas
Published: November 2022

Sustainable development is a key aspect of modern-day development. Reducing fuel cost and emissions is considered as the most important research area in sustainable development. Biodiesel has the potential to reduce the requirement of petroleum diesel if blended in suitable proportion. Various feedstocks are being explored for biodiesel production. Oils derived from neem and jatropha can be utilized for biodiesel production. In the current investigation, optimum parameters for the production, namely catalyst proportion, temperature, and oil-to-alcohol ratio were optimized. Experiments were carried out at different blend proportions to study fuel properties, namely kinematic viscosity, aniline point, diesel index, flash and fire points, specific and API gravity, cetane number, and ASTM distillation characteristics.
Teacher Professional Development in the 21st Century
Authors: Mercado Feliza Marie S. , Shin Sungwon
Published: November 2022

This chapter discusses how social media assist teachers in their informal professional development (PD) activities, which pave the way to support their practices, motivate job satisfaction, and lifelong learning purposes. Social media's capacity to facilitate social interaction and the creation of user-generated content allows teachers to perform self-initiated learning, join professional learning networks, and obtain immediate responses from colleagues. However, using social media for PD can risk teachers' privacy and retrieval of voluminous and low-quality information. Therefore, the authors provide recommendations to guide school administrators in facilitating a well-designed social media-based PD to sustain teachers' continuing education efforts that can address their professional needs and students' diverse learning needs.
A Comprehensive Framework of Engagement in K-12 Virtual Learning
Authors: Hawk Nathan A. , He Jingwen , Xie Kui
Published: November 2022

The members of a virtual learning community, including both personal-based and school-based, are often critical to students' overall academic success. However, the extent of these relationships differs quite widely in a virtual learning environment as compared to a traditional, face-to-face environment. While there is evidence of the importance of these relationships on academic achievement, less synthesized are how these members act together to impact student engagement, a critical function of online learning success. In this chapter, the authors describe a comprehensive framework, guided by prior research, and how students' support system, both in school and at home, help impact four primary dimensions of student engagement, including behavioral, cognitive, social, and affective. Finally, the chapter provides some recommendations for educator preparation programs.
The Role of Digital Platforms in Public Diplomacy and Netflix
Authors: Elitaş Türker
Published: November 2022

With the digitalization of television broadcasting, an audience-oriented, modular, interactive, thematic, and mobilized broadcasting approach has become established. This new broadcasting approach attracts the attention of consumers with its advantages such as low subscription fees, language and subtitle support, ease of access and use, downloading and recording. Naturally, the number of platforms operating in the field of digital broadcasting is increasing and the content on these platforms is diversifying. On the other hand, these platforms serve as a kind of bridge for public diplomacy practices, and in this respect, they attract the attention of public diplomacy actors. Because these platforms—even if the user/viewer is not aware of it—are the means and mediators of the universal circulation of (national) culture, they are a component of public diplomacy.
Twitter as a Digital Channel of Public Diplomacy in Turkey
Authors: Alanka Ömer , Çimen Ülhak
Published: November 2022

Governments want to create foreign public opinion by spreading credible information to achieve their national goals, objectives, and interests. In the global balance of political power, it is important for a country to use the tools of public diplomacy. In the 21st century, Turkey intensively uses cultural values as a tool of public diplomacy. In this context, Turkey actively uses social media as a digital medium while promoting its cultural heritage as a soft power. Turkey, which has analyzed the impact of digital diplomacy well in the historical process, is using this field more and more widely. In this study, examples of the Republic of Turkey's public diplomacy practices on social media are presented and how it uses public diplomacy as soft power is investigated. In this context, four Twitter pages where public diplomacy is most widely used (The Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications, Turkish Maarif Foundation, TIKA, and Yunus Emre Institute) were analyzed through content analysis technique.
Application of Public Diplomacy in New Media Platforms
Authors: Sönmez Mehmet Ferhat
Published: November 2022

Public diplomacy practices carried out by states and non-state actors are instantly presented to the public of other countries thanks to the new media. This makes it easy to determine the level of influence of a public diplomacy practice on the public opinion of countries and helps states to produce new public diplomacy policies and to improve existing policies. In addition, new media allows one state to spy on public diplomacy practices conducted by another state and provides tips for taking action against it. This study aims to answer the question of how the practices of public diplomacy are shaped in new media environments. For this purpose, the Twitter account of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) was chosen as a case study and a netnographic study was conducted.
An unexpected cause of chest pain, dyspnea and palpitations in a young patient during a post-COVID syndrome
Authors: Cacciapuoti Fulvio , Caso Ilaria , Crisci Mario , Minicucci Fabio , Cacciapuoti Federico
Published: November 2022

A 31-year-old male presented with sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea after a COVID-19 infection. Initially labeled as a myopericarditis related to COVID-19, because of the young age and low risk profile, after a multiparametric evaluation was possible to diagnose and treat an unstable lesion on an intermediate branch of left coronary.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Degree of Convergence and Surface Area on the Retentive Force of Titanium Crowns Cemented with Various Adhesive Luting Agents on Extracted Human Teeth – A Laboratory Study
Authors: Choudhary Ashish , Choudhary Ekta , Duggal Surabhi
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

The retention of base metal crowns and noble metal crowns cemented with various luting agents is well documented. However, little emphasis was given to the degree of convergence and surface area of tooth preparation.

Aim and Objective:

A study was planned to analyze the effect of the degree of convergence and surface area of the tooth preparation on the retention of titanium crowns with various adhesive luting agents.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-five caries-free extracted human premolars were obtained. They were divided into three groups according to the degree of convergence and further subdivided based on the type of luting agents used. The teeth were prepared with an angle of convergence of 5°, 10°, and 15° with a flat occlusal surface using K9 crown finishing installation, complete. Light body copper band impressions were made to determine the surface area. Titanium crowns thus obtained were sandblasted, ultrasonically cleaned, and cemented using Panavia F, Calibra, and Glass Ionomer Cement.

Results:

Results showed that Panavia F was the best luting agent exhibiting maximum retentive force to dislodge the crown in a vertical direction using the universal tensile testing machine at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min.

Conclusion:

The force required to dislodge the titanium crown from the prepared tooth was maximum for Panavia F on 5°, 10°, and 15° angle of convergence at 65.23 kgf, 48.52 kgf, and 40.14 kgf. Retentive force values drastically reduced as the degree of convergence increased. There was a reduction in the surface area due to an increase in the taper.
A Case Report on Anesthesia Management for a Patient with Deep Neck Space Infection (Retropharyngeal and Parapharyngeal Abscess)
Authors: Jindal Aastha , Kumar Amit , Shekhawat Kamlesh Kumar , Sharma Parul
Published: November 2022

A 44-year-old woman complained of neck swelling, discomfort, and swallowing difficulties. She was admitted to the hospital on an emergency basis for incision and drainage. Deep neck space infection was diagnosed using a neck X-ray, ultrasonography, and contrast enhanced computed tomography. The successful anesthetic management of this patient at the Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences in Udaipur is presented here.
Utility of a Highly Specific and Sensitive Podoplanin/D2-40, Calretinin, Thyroid Transcription Factor-1, and Carcinoembryonic Antigen/CD66e Immunohistochemical Panel in Differentiating Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma: An Egyptian Experience
Authors: Khairy Rasha A. , Khaled Eman , Sheikh Samar El , Abdlaziz Ahmed , Khalifa Sara E.
Published: November 2022

Background and Objective:

Considering plentiful immunohistochemical (IHC) antibodies, a selection of highly sensitive and specific targeted panels is necessary to differentiate malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) from metastatic adenocarcinoma. We aimed to examine the sensitivity and specificity of four markers (podoplanin [PDPN]/D2-40, calretinin, thyroid transcription factor-1 [TTF-1], and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA]/CD66e) as an initial IHC panel of Egyptian patients with malignant pleural biopsies.

Materials and Methods:

Forty Egyptian malignant pleural biopsies with histomorphological features of mesothelioma versus adenocarcinoma were immunohistochemically stained by PDPN/D2-40, calretinin, TTF-1, and CEA/CD66e.

Results:

PDPN/D2-40 and calretinin were positive in 27/27, 100% of mesothelioma cases with 100% sensitivity, 96.4% specificity for PDPN/D2-40, and 100% sensitivity and specificity for calretinin. Membranous PDPN/D2-40 expression was strong in 14 cases (53.85%), moderate in eight cases (30.77%), and weak in four cases (15.38%), while pure cytoplasmic staining was reported in one case. Calretinin was predominantly nuclear in all mesothelioma cases. TTF1 and CEA/CD66e were negative in all mesothelioma cases. In adenocarcinomas, PDPN/D2-40 was only expressed as weak cytoplasmic staining in 1/13 cases, while calretinin was negative in all 13 cases. Nuclear TTF1 and cytoplasmic CEA/CD66e immunostaining positivity were reported in all adenocarcinoma cases (13/13) with 100% sensitivity and specificity for both markers.

Conclusion:

The combination of PDPN/D2-40, calretinin together with CEA/CD66e, and TTF1 may be highly valuable in differentiating MPM from metastatic adenocarcinoma.
Is Programmed Death-Ligand 1 of Prognostic Significance in Triple-Negative Female Mammary Carcinoma?
Authors: Sanad Amal Mostafa , Ibrahim Wael Shawky , Ezzo Iman Mohamed , Sabry Rania Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The most widespread female malignancy is breast cancer (BC), considerable percentage of patients with triple-negative BC (TNBC) experience rapid progression, recurrence, and metastasis. BC has not historically been treated as an immunogenic cancer. Nonetheless, several researchers have started to concentrate on immunotherapy.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to investigate the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) by stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor cells (TC) in female (TNBC) and to correlate with pathological features of such tumors, particularly those determine biologic behavior, such as the grade and stage the overall survival.

Methodology:

This is a retrospective study which includes 49 paraffin-embedded tumor tissue sections which were collected from breast surgery specimens either radical or conservative of female patients with TNBC. The samples were analyzed immunohistochemically for PD-L1 expression.

Results:

There were statistically significant relations among TC PD-L1 expression and TILs PD-L1 expression as well as relations among TILs PD-L1 expression with histologic grade, stromal TILs, and Ki-67 were statistically significant. Correlations between TC PD-L1 expression and N stage, histologic grade, and anatomic stage were statistically significant. Improved survival was detected within TILs PD-L1-positive cases; however, the correlation between the overall survival and PD-L1 expression in both TCs and stromal TIL was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

PD-L1 expressed in tumors with poor prognostic features such as the high grade, advanced T stage, and high Ki-67 index, TILs PD-L1-positive cases experienced improved survival supporting its prognostic significance. However, the correlation with overall survival was not statistically significant.
Can Intranasal Administration of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Reach and Affect the Histological Structure of Distant Organs of Aged Wistar Rat?
Authors: Hamam Ghada Galal , Bahaa Nevine , Raafat Mona H.
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Stem cell therapy is a highly promising strategy in various degenerative diseases. Intranasal administration of stem cells could be considered as a non-invasive treatment option. However, there is great debate concerning the ability of stem cells to reach distant organs. It is also unclear in such a case if they can alleviate age-related structural changes in these organs.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of intranasal administration of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to reach distant organs of rats at different time intervals and to investigate their effects on age-related structural changes in these organs.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-nine female Wistar rats were used in this study, seven of which were adults (6-month-old) and 42 were aged (2-year-old). Rats were divided into three-groups: Group-I (adult control), Group-II (aged), and Group-III (aged ADSCs treated). Rats of Groups I and II were sacrificed after 15 days from the beginning of the experiment. Rats of Group III were treated with intranasal ADSCs and were sacrificed after 2-h, 1-day, 3-day, 5-day, and 15-day. Heart, liver, kidney, and spleen specimens were collected and processed for H and E, CD105 immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescent techniques. Morphometric study and statistical analysis were performed.

Results:

ADSCs appeared in all organs examined after 2-h of intranasal administration. Their maximum presence was detected after 3-day of administration, after which their immunofluorescence gradually decreased and nearly disappeared from these organs by the 15th day. Improvement of some age-related deterioration in the structure of the kidney and liver occurred at day 5 after intranasal administration.

Conclusions:

ADSCs effectively reached the heart, liver, kidney, and spleen after intranasal administration. ADSCs ameliorated some age-related changes in these organs.
Relevance of Conventional Microscopy in the Diagnosis of Mucormycosis during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vidyarthi Ashima Jain , Das Arghya , Khan Salman , Panda Smriti , Singh Gagandeep , Thakar Alok , Bhatnagar Sushma , Xess Immaculata , Chaudhry Rama
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Mucormycosis is a lethal disease which bewildered the health-care community of India during the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The diagnosis is challenging considering the poor isolation in culture.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to emphasize the utility of potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount examination using conventional light microscopy for early diagnosis of mucormycosis in resource-limited settings.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of results for all the samples including tissue biopsies, swabs, and pus received in the laboratory for KOH microscopy was done, and results were recorded. The clinical and demographic details of the patients were collected from the hospital information system.

Results:

A total of 75 samples from 50 patients were received in the laboratory. Out of these, 43 samples from 35 patients showed fungal hyphae (38 patients with only nonseptate hyaline hyphae, 2 with septate hyaline hyphae, and 3 samples with mixed infections). All patients except one were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The most common age group was 45–59 years (40%), followed by 30–44 years (34.28%) with a male predominance. There was a significant difference in hemoglobin A1C (P = 0.005) and ferritin (P = 0.017) levels between laboratory-confirmed mucormycosis patients and clinically suspected mucormycosis patients without confirmation.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis and initiation of targeted therapy is the cornerstone for treating mucormycosis patients. Hence, a rapid and reliable mode of diagnosis is the need of the hour. Conventional microscopy is such a tool that may be used, especially in resource-limited settings.
Contrast radiographic anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract of white-bellied pangolin
Authors: Ogunleye Adepeju T , Olatunji-Akioye Adenike O. , Emikpe Benjamin O. , Jarikre Theophilus A. , Omotosho Oladipo O. , Olajumoke A Morenikeji
Published: November 2022

Context:

Pangolins are scaly ant-eating placental mammals threatened with extinction due to over-exploitation and poaching. Aggressive protection by conservationists is moderately successful due to scanty information regarding their physiology.

Aims:

Contrast radiography, a diagnostic technique for investigating gastrointestinal diseases may assist conservation efforts to improve the survival of these animals.

Subjects and Methods:

Eight rescued white-bellied pangolins of different ages, sexes, and weights were evaluated. Four live ones; with a mean weight of 1.52 ± 0.3 kg were radiographed and measurements taken by Digimizer. Four others had an opportunistic necropsy done and gross measurements of the gastrointestinal tract. Sedation with Ketamine caused uncurling, facilitated handling, and barium was administered orally. Serial dorso-ventral and lateral radiographs, physiological parameters, gastrointestinal dimensions, and contrast images were acquired.

Results:

The oral cavity was oval-shaped with no teeth; the long thin tongue runs beside the esophagus and contrast within the stomach 0 min postadmin lends credence to the length of the tongue just proximal to the stomach at the 8th thoracic rib. The plain radiograph revealed stones within the stomach at the 10th thoracic rib. The esophageal length, stomach length, and width radiographically, were 201.38 ± 1.70, 95.42 ± 1.9, and 53.02 ± 16.70 mm while the gross gastric length, diameter, and intestinal length were 7.1 ± 0.12, 13.3 ± 0.4, and 220.21 ± 4.03 cm, respectively. The mean contrast transit time was 1.34 ± 0.65 h-stomach, 0.48 ± 0.48 h-small intestines, and 10.00 ± 5.76 h-large intestines. Compared to mean transit times in dogs, it is longer but shorter when the transit times are compared to mean transit times in rats.

Conclusion:

Average transit time of the digestive tract is consistent with the reported average in dogs (3 ± 1.5 h). Implications for feeding and gut health in pangolins can assist in understanding critical care and boost conservation efforts.
An observational study of the demographic, clinical, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of patients with musculoskeletal infections
Authors: Yadav Rishabh , Narula Harneet , Mittal Amit , Kumar Akshay , Mittal Sahil
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Musculoskeletal infections have been emerging nowadays. Its early diagnosis is warranted as it may lead to disabling sequelae. Recently, the use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) provided additional pulse sequences enabling better diagnosis and needs to be explored for diagnosing musculoskeletal infections. Thus, we conducted this study with an aim to discuss demographic, clinical, and DWMRI findings of the spectrum of musculoskeletal infections, emphasizing the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map for this domain of infections.

Methods:

A retrospective observational study was carried out in the department of radiodiagnosis of a tertiary care hospital. The study was performed on 50 patients who were suspected cases of musculoskeletal infections. All the patients underwent basic investigations, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion-weighted imaging with ADC mapping. The data were entered into MS EXCEL spreadsheet and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.

Results:

Maximum patients were in the age group of 11–20 years (40%) with 58% males and 42% females. Lower limb infections were common, especially the involvement of the hip joint. Pain and swelling were the most common symptoms as seen in 96% and 88% of the patients respectively. DWMRI was able to diagnose and lay down significantly different ADC values for different musculoskeletal infections. The mean ADC values were higher for acute infections and lower for chronic infections.

Conclusions:

DWMRI holds an important role in the investigation profile for musculoskeletal infections and must be used wherever deemed necessary to avoid unnecessary referrals and treatments.
Basic loci of Coxeter type with arbitrary parahoric level
Authors: Görtz Ulrich , He Xuhua , Nie Sian
Published: November 2022

Motivated by the desire to understand the geometry of the basic loci in the reduction of Shimura varieties, we study their “group-theoretic models”—generalized affine Deligne–Lusztig varieties—in cases where they have a particularly nice description. Continuing the work of Görtz and He (2015, Cambridge Journal of Mathematics 3, 323–353) and Görtz, He, and Nie (2019, Peking Mathematical Journal 2, 99–154), we single out the class of cases of Coxeter type, give a characterization in terms of the dimension, and obtain a complete classification. We also discuss known, new, and open cases from the point of view of Shimura varieties/Rapoport–Zink spaces.
Case Report: Autochthonous Disseminated Cutaneous, Mucocutaneous, and Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania martiniquensis in a Patient with HIV/AIDS from Northern Thailand and Literature Review
Authors: Srivarasat Saranya , Brownell Narisa , Siriyasatien Padet , Noppakun Nopadon , Asawanonda Pravit , Rattanakorn Krittaya , Preativatanyou Kanok , Kumtornrut Chanat
Published: November 2022

Autochthonous leishmaniasis cases have been increasing continuously in Thailand over the years. We report multiple presentations of leishmaniasis in a 47-year-old patient with HIV/AIDS from Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Physical examination showed multiple ulcerated papules, nodules, and plaques in a sporotrichoid distribution. Firm mucosal nodules on the hard palate and nasal opening, hepatosplenomegaly, and bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy were found. Histopathological examination of the biopsies revealed an inflammatory infiltrate containing intramacrophage amastigotes compatible with Leishmania infection. In addition, Leishmania promastigotes were isolated successfully from the palatal biopsy and assigned the code MHOM/TH/2022/CULE6. Using internal transcribed spacer 1 polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis, the causative parasite was identified as Leishmania martiniquensis. A definitive diagnosis of multiform leishmaniasis with disseminated cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral involvement was established. The patient was administered intravenous amphotericin B 1 mg/kg/d for 2 weeks, followed by oral itraconazole 400 mg daily. At the 2-month follow-up, the cutaneous and mucosal lesions had improved significantly. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mucocutaneous involvement caused by L. martiniquensis in an immunocompromised patient with HIV/AIDS. In addition, we provide a literature review of leishmaniasis cases, reported formally in Thailand, resulting from this autochthonous parasite.
Arbovirus Antibody Seroprevalence in the Human Population from Cauca, Colombia
Authors: Gil-Mora Juliana , Acevedo-Gutiérrez L. Yoana , Betancourt-Ruiz Paola L. , Martínez-Diaz Heidy C. , Fernández Diana , Bopp Nathen E. , Olaya-Másmela Luz A. , Bolaños Eliana , Benavides Efraín , Villasante-Tezanos Alejandro , Hidalgo Marylin , Aguilar Patricia V.
Published: November 2022

Several arboviruses have emerged or reemerged into the New World during the past several decades, causing outbreaks of significant proportion. In particular, the outbreaks of Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have been explosive and unpredictable, and have led to significant adverse health effects. These viruses are considered the leading cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses in Colombia. However, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is endemic in Colombia, and arboviruses such as the Mayaro virus (MAYV) and the Oropouche virus (OROV) cause febrile illnesses in neighboring countries. Yet, evidence of human exposure to MAYV and OROV in Colombia is scarce. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey study in healthy individuals from the Cauca Department in Colombia. We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against multiple arboviruses, including DENV serotype 2, CHIKV, VEEV, MAYV, and OROV. Based on serological analyses, we found that the overall seroprevalence for DENV serotype 2 was 30%, 1% for MAYV, 2.6% for CHIKV, 4.4% for VEEV, and 2% for OROV. This study provides evidence about the circulation of MAYV and OROV in Colombia, and suggests that they—along with VEEV and CHIKV—might be responsible for cases of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses that remain undiagnosed in the region. The study results also highlight the need to strengthen surveillance programs to identify outbreaks caused by these and other vector-borne pathogens.
Sustainability – integration and communication in German manufacturers
Authors: Diedrich Marcus
Published: November 2022

The manufactory is a full production organization of consumer goods, technical goods or food – in any case physical products. In contrast to handicraft businesses, the manufactory produces products in series, which means that they can be purchased several times over a longer period of time. They result in an assortment of this manufacturer. The products of the manufactory are characterized by a high level of vertical integration – usually from the raw material through the entire production process to the finished product under one roof for retailers or customers. Manufactured products are inherently sustainable because they are designed for long-term use. Manufactories are usually family-run companies that work in an economically sustainable manner. But what about the other dimensions of sustainability, i.e. ecological and social? Is sustainability anchored in the company's strategy? Is sustainability seen as a competitive advantage and conveyed in corporate communications?
Managerial performance in the conditions of selected local government offices
Authors: Lukáč Michal , Ganobčík Ján
Published: November 2022

The development and execution of employees in a modern public administration organisation are subject to specific management forms. Performance management is about setting performance standards, monitoring progress, and building relevant plans. Managerial performance and its management are presented as beneficial for employee development. Addressing the interaction between performance management and administrative authority is appropriate given the empirical result of performance management reform. The public sector's adoption of performance management systems has long focused on creating more advanced performance information systems while neglecting to increase managerial authority. Therefore, understanding how this partial acceptance affects public service performance is particularly important. However, our knowledge of how they interact remains limited despite the central role of management authority over standard performance management regulations. According to the analysis of the current situation, the main goal of the presented article is to derive propositions and propose measures to streamline the managerial performance of the offices in Trnava, Nitra and Trenčín. In the study, we use the benchmarking method to analyse and subsequent evolution of the state of managerial performance in selected bodies. We identify individual factors in the form of the Saaty matrix and characterise the systematic steps of the methodological procedure. In this process, we faced certain limitations related to limited data access. The main benefits of this study are suggestions for improving the level of managerial performance that can be applied in public administration. Among the primary areas where change is needed, we identified ambiguity in the strategy and plan, delayed feedback processes and limited behavioural incentives.
სხვადასხვა ეკონომიკური სისტემების ბიზნეს გარემოს მახასიათებლები
Authors: Sapharidze Guram
Published: November 2022

გურამ საფარიძე

ბიზნესის ადმინისტრირების დოქტორი, ბათუმის შოთა რუსთაველის სახელმწიფო უნივერსიტეტი, ბათუმი, საქართველო

Email: sapharidzeguram@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6776-3482

 

მოკლე აღწერა

აბსტრაქტი. სტატიაში განხილულია ეკონომიკური სისტე­მე­ბის ინტეგრირების პროცესი, ბიბლიოგრაფიულ კვლე­ვებ­ზე და სტა­ტისტიკურ მასალებზე დაყრდნობით გაკეთე­ბუ­ლია შესაბამისი დასკვნები და რეკომენდაციები. აღ­მოჩნ­და, რომ ეკონომიკური სისტემები განსხვავდებიან სა­ერ­თაშორისო გახნილობის დონის, ინტეგრირებისკენ სწრაფ­­ვის და ცვლილებების მიმართ ეკონომი­კურ აგენტთა დამოკიდებულების მიხედვით. ბიზნეს გარემო ყო­ველ კონკრეტულ ეკონომიკურ სისტემაში ყალიბდება მაკრო, მიკრო, სოციალური ეკო  და გლობალური ფაქტორების ზე­გავ­ლე­ნით. გარდა ამისა, ბიზნეს გარემო ყოველი კონკრე­ტუ­ლი ბიზ­ნეს ორგანიზაციისთვის განსხვავებულია იმის მიხედვით, თუ რა მასშტაბის ეკონომიკურ სისტემაში მოქ­მე­დებს იგი. ეკონომიკური ინტეგრაცია განიხილება, რო­გორც პროცესი, რომლის ფარგლებ­შიც რამდენიმე ეკონო­მი­კური სისტემა ცდილობს დამსგავსებას. მიიღება ეკონომი­კური სისტემა, და შესაბამისად, ბიზნეს გარემო, რომლის საკვანძო იდეოლოგია წარმოადგენს დამსგავსების მთა­ვარ ორიენტირს, ხოლო ეკონომიკურ აგენტთა ურთიერთქმე­დება ამ ორიენტირთან მიახლოების და მისი პრაქტიკული განხოციე­ლე­ბის შესაძლებლობას იძლევა. ბიზნეს გარემოს ცვლილება იწვევს ახალი გადაწყვეტილებების მიღებას ბიზ­ნეს სუბიექტების მიერ. ცვლილებები ასევე გავლენას ახდენენ გადაწყვეტილებების მიღების პროცესზე.
ქალი მეზღვაური
Authors: Tchkonia Natalia
Published: November 2022

ნატალია ჭყონია

ასოცირებული პროფესორი, ბათუმის ნავიგაციის სასწავლო უნივერსიტეტი, ბათუმი, საქართველო

Email: n.tchkonia@bntu.edu.ge

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8117-4146

 

მოკლე აღწერა

აბსტრაქტი. დღევანდელი ქალი ნაბიჯ-ნაბიჯ არღვევს ბარიერებს. იშვიათი მოვლენა არაა, რომ ისტორიულად ქალები გამოირჩევიან მამაკაცებით დომინირებულ სფეროებში, როგორიცაა პოლიტიკა, ბიზნესი, მძლეოსნობა და კიდევ ბევრი რამ. ქალებს ბევრი ძლიე­რი ასპექტები აქვთ, რაც უნდა აღინიშნოს.

საზღვაო სფერო და საზღვაო პროფესიები სპეციფიკური და რა­დი­კა­ლურია. კვალიფიცირებული თანამშრომლები ზღვაზე თუ ხმე­ლეთზე აუცილებელია, რათა მოხდეს ქვეყნის ინდუსტრიული განვითარება. რეალურ დროში სახელმწიფო პოლიტიკა მიმართუ­ლია საზღვაო ბიზნესის მხარდაჭერასა და განვითარებაზე. აღ­სა­ნიშნავია, რომ მეზღვაურთა განათლებისა და მომზადების პრო­ცეს­ში ძალიან მნიშვნელოვანია ევროკავშირის მხარდაჭერა, რად­გან „ევროპული სტანდარტების დაცვა ქართველი მეზღვაურე­ბისთ­ვის ღირსეული დასაქმების გარანტიაა“. მეზღვაურები იმ იშვიათი პროფესიების წარმომადგენლები არიან, რომლებიც ექს­პორტს ახორციელებენ. ეს არის მომსახურება საქართველოდან, რაც რეგიონის ეკონომიკური სტაბილურობის ერთ - ერთი მნიშვ­ნე­ლოვანი კომპონენტია.

ბოლოს და ბოლოს, რა არის სათქმელი? რომ დღევანდელი ქა­ლე­ბი უფრო ძლიერები არიან, ვიდრე ოდესმე. საზოგადოებას სჭირ­დება და მოითხოვს მას. გენდერული თანასწორობა თანდათან იკიდებს ფეხს თანამედროვე სამყაროში, იქ სადაც ოდესღაც ქა­ლებს არ ჰქონდათ პოლიტიკური უფლებები და არ ჰქონდათ ხმის მიცემის შესაძლებლობა. ჩვენ გვჯერა, რომ შეხვედრები, რომ­ლებშიც მონაწილეობას მიიღებს მთავრობა, ბიზნესი და საზღვაო გაერთიანებები, მოეწყობა დასქმების საერთაშორისო ორგანიზა­ციების მიერ, რათა განიხილონ თუ როგორ გაზარდონ „ქალის“ დასაქმების შანსი ზღვაზე. უზრუნველყოფილი უნდა იყოს, რომ არც ერთი ქალი არ საჭიროებდეს თავის მართლებას. დაუფასდეს საქმე, რომელსაც ის ახორციელებს. იმედი მაქვს, რომ მსოფლიოს ქალები დაიბრუნებენ თავიანთ ხმას, გათავისუფლდებიან შეუ­რაცხ­ყოფისაგან და თავს დაცულად იგრძნობენ. ეს იქნება ერთი ნაბიჯი თანასწორობისკენ მიმავალ გზაზე.
The Effects of Alchornea laxiflora Leaf Extract on Total- and HDL- Cholesterol Levels in Serum, Liver, and Kidney of Rats
Authors: O. J. Ogunbiyi , J. T. Apata , R. J. Jegede , F. T. Akinola
Published: November 2022

Alchornea laxiflora is one of the underutilized tropical plants in Nigeria. The extract from the leaf has been shown to contain certain phytochemical principles which have been linked to some of its medicinal uses. The effect of Alchornea laxiflora aqueous leaf extract on the level of the total- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) - cholesterols in the serum, liver, and kidney of rats was evaluated in this study. Twelve rats were grouped into three containing four each. Group A (control) was administered with only distilled water. Groups B and C were administered with aqueous extract of Alchornea laxiflora at 100 mg kg-1 and 200 mgkg-1 body weight respectively for twenty-eight days. The result revealed a decrease in the level of total cholesterol in the serum and kidney of rats administered with aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora. It can therefore be suggested that Alchornea laxiflora holds much promise in offering protection against possible lipid peroxidation and lowering the level of total cholesterol in the serum and kidneys of rats.
Transforming from Addicted Video Gamer to Doctoral Candidate: An Autoethnographic Reflection
Authors: Hu Xiao , Zhang Hongzhi
Published: November 2022

Video game addiction has become a significant concern in many countries with the development of the digital entertainment industry. Researchers have devoted their efforts to understanding the causes of video game addiction and seeking solutions and treatment approaches to help reduce the addictive problem. Similar to the worldwide situation, video game addiction issues are also a major socio-cultural problem in China. Although qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in video game addiction studies, current research still follows the model of collecting data from objective participants and then analysing it. Contrarily, there is a lack of first-person empirical data on overcoming video game addiction. This research adopts the autoethnographic approach to study video game addiction topics. The outcome indicates that the author’s game addiction is mainly created by seeking fun in gameplay and escapism from real-life problems. The factors that help the author overcome the addiction and further turn into a positive influence in his life include shifting attention and making life more purposeful.
ANALISIS SISTEM JARINGAN TEGANGAN MENENGAH 20 kV DI KAWASAN INDUSTRI KELAPA SAWIT PT. BUMITAMA GUNAJAYA AGRO
Authors: Darmawan Heri , Kurnianto Rudi , Gianto Rudi , Yusuf Ismail , Purwoharjono Purwoharjono
Published: November 2022

Penelitian ini menganalisis  perbaikan jaringan distribusi listrik PT. BGA, dikarenakan terjadi jatuh tegangan pada jaringan listrik existing sampai -20 %  dan rencana peningkatan beban listik dari 118,6 kW menjadi 334,35 kW dalam bentuk model dan simulasi. Metode perbaikan yaitu membuat konspigurasi sistem jaringan distribusi listrik baru dan menganalisis aliran daya dengan ETAP . Hasil perbaikan dengan mengupgrading sistem tegangan distribusi  menjadi 20 kV, pendistribusian beban listrik di buat menjadi empat kluster yaitu, cluster A, B, C dan D, upgrading transformator step up menjadi 500 kVA, transformator step down cluster A 200 kVA, cluster B dan C 125 kVA, cluster D 160 kVA, jaringan kabel distribusi primer menggunakan  jenis AAAC (3x70 mm)2, jaringan distribusi sekunder masing-masing cluster menggunakan jenis NFA2X-T (3x70+1x50 mm)2 dan Saluran sambungan rumah menggunakan kabel jenis NFA2X (4x10 mm2 , 4x16 mm2 dan 4x25 mm)2. Hasil analisis aliran daya dengan ETAP, setelah dilakukan perbaikan, dimana jatuh tegangan yang terjadi pada keseluruhan bus beban listrik berkisar antara 0,3 sampai 4,7 % atau 0,379 kV sampai 0,362 kV, dimana nilai tersebut masih dalam standar tegangan  yang di ijinkan yaitu untuk jaringan tegangan rendah (JTR) variasinya adalah maksimal + 5 % dan minimal -10 % terhadap tegangan nominal  (SPLN1 : 1995).