bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative evaluation of bite pressure between single implant prosthesis and natural teeth
Authors: Singhal MK , Budakoti Vaibhav , Pratap Hemendra , Chourasiya Priyanka , Waghmare Anagha
Published: January 2023

Aim of the Study:

To evaluate and compare bite pressure among individuals with implant prosthesis on one side and natural dentition on the contralateral side in the mandibular first molar region using the Nupai bite scan system.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 30 individuals (15 in which implant prosthesis on the right side and 15 in which implant prosthesis on the left side) with implant prosthesis on one side and natural dentition on the contralateral side participated in the study. The bite pressure was measured at the first molar area on both sides using Nupai bite scan.

Results:

Maximum bite pressure, average bite pressure, and the amount of the pressed area were found to be more on the natural dentition side in comparison to the side with implant prosthesis. The average pressure on natural teeth was 25.33 MPa and on implant prosthesis, 21.27 MPa.

Conclusion:

The present study concludes that the measured bite pressure at the natural dentition side is found to be higher than those at the fabricated implant prosthesis side. P value for average bite pressure is 0.033, which is significant (P < 0.05).
Cytogenetics Evaluation of 261 Couples with First-Trimester Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Prevalent Case–Control Study
Authors: Singhal Paresh , Raghavendra S. K. , Chakrabarty Barun Kumar , Pendkur Ganesh , Pendharkar Chinmay Shrikrishna , Sagoo Gurpreet Kaur
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common occurrence which affects approximately 15-20% of couples. Chromosomal abnormality is an important cause of recurrent abortions especially if either of the partner is a carrier of balanced translocation. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in couples suffering from first trimester RPL and compare with normal control.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective case-control study, in which 261 couples with history of two or more abortions were evaluated for various chromosomal abnormalities; and compared with 190 healthy couples with no history of abortion and at least one normal biological child. Peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were cultured using RPMI-1640 medium for obtaining metaphases and chromosomal analysis. SPSS software and Student’s t test were used. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Among 261 couples in RPL group, 240(91.95%) had normal karyotype, 17(6.51%) had major chromosomal abnormalities and 04(1.53%) had polymorphic variants. Most of the couples had two abortions (39.8%). Females were more commonly affected with M:F=0.214. Structural abnormalities (n=12,70.59%) were more frequent than numerical abnormalities (n=5,29.41%). There was no statistical correlation between age, number of abortions and major chromosomal abnormalities (p=0.06).

Conclusion:

Chromosomal aberrations in carrier parents, predispose them to RPL and can also be transmitted to the offspring which may results in imbalance in their genetic constitution, thus justifying the requirement of cytogenetic testing in these patients.
Commissioning Validation of a Brachytherapy Treatment Planning System with Egsnrc Monte Carlo Code and EBT3 GAFChromic Film
Authors: Lahlabou Mohammed , Khelifi Rachid
Published: January 2023

Aims:

Most brachytherapy treatment planning system (TPS) commissioning requires data input based on the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group-43 formalism. The commissioning accuracy is very important for dose calculation. The aim of this study is the implementation of a brachytherapy TPS into a clinical environment and check the TPS calculated dose accuracy.

Subjects and Methods:

After introducing data of the different catheters (CIS Bio International, Saclay, France), composed of several Cesium-137 Eckert and Ziegler BEBIG CSM-11 radioactive sources; for XiO (CMS, St. Louis) brachytherapy TPS, the TPS dose calculation accuracy was investigated by comparing between the TPS calculated dose distribution (DD) for all the catheters with (1) the measuring DD using EBT3 GAFChromic film and (2) calculating DD by egs_brachy (Electron Gamma Shower, National Research Council of Canada) Monte Carlo simulation. The phantom used for this study consists of six PTW slabs 30 cm × 30 cm × 1 cm of polymethyl methacrylate with a Delouche MEDpro applicator on the top. The TPS DD was calculated on the computed tomography scan of this phantom.

Statistical Analysis Used:

PTW VeriSoft version 6.0.1.7 (PTW-Freiburg, Germany) software was used for analyzing scanned films and to perform the comparison based on the gamma index distribution.

Results:

For each catheter, the gamma index distribution showed agreement >95% of all pixels in both verification methods, with gamma ≤1.

Conclusions:

We confirm the commissioning accuracy and that the TPS can be used for clinical purposes.
Investigation of Response of the Pixelated CZT SPECT Imaging System and Comparison with the Conventional SPECT System
Authors: Noori-Asl Mahsa , Sayyah-Koohi Pooneh
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the response of the pixelated CZT SPECT imaging systems and to compare the performance of these systems with the conventional SPECT imaging systems.

Materials and Methods:

By using the simulation technique, the effect of applied voltage, gap size between the anode pixels, and electron cloud mobility on the response of a pixelated CZT SPECT system are investigated. Then, the response of this system is compared with the conventional SPECT system in both single- and dual-radioisotope imaging.

Results:

The results of this study show that increasing the applied voltage, electron cloud mobility or decreasing the gap size, in the optimal range of these parameters obtained in this study, leads to reducing the lateral charge diffusion and consequently improving the probability of the complete charge collection by the target anode pixel. In dual-radioisotope imaging by the pixelated CZT SPECT system, although higher energy resolution results in better separation of photopeaks, the presence of a low-energy tail leads to an overestimation of counts in the low-energy photopeak.

Conclusion:

The use of the optimal values for the applied voltage, gap size, and electron cloud mobility strongly affect the performance of the pixelated CZT SPECT systems. In addition, the presence of a tail restricts the use of these systems for dual-radioisotope imaging and also, the use of the conventional methods for scatter correction.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Image-Based Segmentation of Brain Tumor Using the Modified Transfer Learning Method
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Singh Benoy Kumar , Kumar Anuj
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

The goal of this study was to improve overall brain tumor segmentation (BraTS) accuracy. In this study, a form of convolutional neural network called three-dimensional (3D) U-Net was utilized to segment various tumor regions on brain 3D magnetic resonance imaging images using a transfer learning technique.

Materials and Methods:

The dataset used for this study was obtained from the multimodal BraTS challenge. The total number of studies was 2240, obtained from BraTS 2018, BraTS 2019, BraTS 2020, and BraTS 2021 challenges, and each study had five series: T1, contrast-enhanced-T1, Flair, T2, and segmented mask file (seg), all in Neuroimaging Informatics Technology Initiative (NIFTI) format. The proposed method employs a 3D U-Net that was trained separately on each of the four datasets by transferring weights across them.

Results:

The overall training accuracy, validation accuracy, mean dice coefficient, and mean intersection over union achieved were 99.35%, 98.93%, 0.9875%, and 0.8738%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The proposed method for tumor segmentation outperforms the existing method.
Reporting of Inter Fraction Dose Variations of Organs at Risk in Computed Tomography-Guided High Dose Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy in Carcinoma Cervix
Authors: Nandi Moujhuri , Pokala Neelima , Perumareddy Vaishnavi , Sarkar Sujata , Chanda Sudeep
Published: January 2023

Assess the interfraction dose variations of the organs at risk (OARs) in carcinoma cervix high dose rate (HDR) computed tomography (CT)-guided intra cavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). 120 CT scans of 40 patients who had undergone three fractions of ICBT (7 Gy/fr) were analyzed. Dose to Point A and the minimum doses to the volumes of 2, 1, and 0.1cc of bladder, rectum and sigmoid colon were recorded. Revised plans were generated in 20 patients. Paired t-test was used to compare the difference in the means. Point “A” mean dose difference was statistically significant between the treated and revised plans. For bladder, the difference in means of dosage to all volumes, whilst for the rectum and sigmoid colon, the low volume dosage (0.1cc) was statistically significant. Absence of individualized planning would have resulted in underdosage of tumor and increased dosage of up to 30% to OARs. CT-guided ICBT should be implemented for each HDR fraction treatment.
Study of Anxiety Among Medical Teachers About the Recent Change in “Publication-Based Faculty Promotions” as Per the National Medical Commission Guidelines 2022
Authors: Gowardhan Atul Kawaduji , Bagade Priya Manohar
Published: January 2023

Background:

Primarily collegiate promotions, placement retention, professional progress, and career mobility of any medical fraternity are determined by the growth in their research productivity. Universities and medical institutes also recruit and promote those academicians who have voluminous resume with ample number of publications. However, the mandatory criteria for article publication and the frequent changes made in them, challenge the medical professionals and create a sense of anxiety and insecurity in them about their future prospects. This study aims at screening these medical academicians, for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in response to the recent change in "Minimum Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations" as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines 2022.

Materials and Methods:

It was a cross-sectional pilot study conducted in two medical institutes including 76 medical teachers due for their promotions. Knowledge and anxiety towards the recent change in "Minimum Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations" as per the NMC guidelines 2022 was assessed by the GAD-7 scoring system with help of a questionnaire. The medical professionals were grouped into minimal, mild, moderate, and severe anxiety depending on their GAD-7 score.

Results:

Hundred percent of medical teachers were aware of the recent changes in the promotion criteria laid down by the NMC in February 2022. 31.57% and 34.78% of medical professionals were found to have mild and moderate anxiety respectively about the promotion criteria. Although less, but 15% of them were screened to be severely anxious about the same matter.

Conclusion:

All the study participants were updated about the recent changes in the promotion criteria put forward by NMC in February 2022 but this revision has created a sense of apprehension and uncertainty among the medical professionals regarding their due promotions.
Behavioural sleep problems in children
Authors: Ting Chun Yi , Thomas Biju
Published: January 2023

Behavioural sleep problems are very common in children and are concerns for many parents. This review discusses normal sleep physiology and sleep development and focuses on common behavioural sleep problems in childhood, including behavioural insomnia of childhood, parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders, highlighting their clinical features and management. Behavioural insomnia of childhood is characterised by learned difficulties in falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Management includes establishing bedtime routines and behavioural techniques. Parasomnias include confusional arousals, sleepwalking, sleep terrors and nightmares, and these usually resolve with time. Management includes parental reassurance and behavioural interventions such as scheduled awakening. With regards to sleep enuresis, management includes behavioural modifications, enuresis alarm and desmopressin. Sleep-related movement disorders include sleep-related bruxism and sleep-related rhythmic movements, of which body rocking is the most common. Early identification and management of behavioural sleep problems may prevent their negative impact on children as well as their families.
"Para derribar todas las fronteras": un proyecto realizado con inmigrantes latinoamericanos
Authors: Moyano Ortiz Laura Guillermina
Published: January 2023

Quería comentarles que este proyecto que comparto hoy con ustedes surge de una idea inicial gestada en el seno de una organización sin fines de lucro, de inspiración cristiana que, creo, algunos de ustedes conocerán probablemente de nombre: Cáritas Arquidiocesana de Córdoba, Argentina.
Mediópolis: la urbe anunciada
Authors: Alemán de Armas Adrián
Published: January 2023

En esta primera colaboración, el profesor Alemán nos presenta algunas de las reflexiones derivadas de su actual línea de investigación, en la que la ciudad es medio y mensaje; aquí, trae a colación lo que han dicho algunos grandes autores que han entendido lo mismo que el Dr. Alemán a lo largo de los años.
Los estudios sobre comunicación masiva en América Latina
Authors: Medina Hernández Ileana
Published: January 2023

En este trabajo, Ileana Medina hace un largo y profundo recorrido en torno a las diversas corrientes sobre estudios e investigaciones sobre la recepción de los mensajes mediáticos realizadas en América Latina, con los referentes de autores anteriores, europeos y norteamericanos.
Comunicación y bloqueo institucional. El caso de Canal 13 [de Costa Rica]
Authors: Ortiz A William
Published: January 2023

Una institución especializada en la comunicación social puede ser estudiada de muchas maneras. El abordaje que procuramos asume una perspectiva crítica y considera la institución desde el punto de vista de la relación entre un mensaje y un sujeto receptor, es decir, se trata de la relación que vincula un conjunto de programas emitidos con un público, el cual los consume en su calidad de espectador. Pero como esta relación no se materializa si no es al interior de una sociedad, interesa situar constantemente a la institución dentro de la colectividad humana de la que forma parte y, más concretamente, dentro del estado y no dentro de la sociedad civil.
El Escolar y El Faro de Veiga, dos periódicos escolares en los orígenes de la prensa local gallega
Authors: Neira Cruz Xosé Antonio
Published: January 2023

Si bien el afán didáctico y moralizante es básico en la concepción y desarrollo de la prensa infantil, juvenil y escolar, también hay que señalar su creciente importancia como instrumento para la inculturación, fundamentalmente en aquellas comunidades que, teniendo una lengua y cultura propias, se vieron obligados a educar a sus hijos en la lengua común mayoritaria e impuesta. Es por este motivo por lo que, a partir de mediados del siglo XIX -cuando comienzan a tener éxito los movimientos de revitalización de la personalidad y conciencia nacional de estas comunidades (muchas veces a través de la recuperación de la lengua propia para la creación cultural y literaria)-, se tendrá muy en cuenta la utilización de la prensa infantil y juvenil para hacer llegar a los más jóvenes el legado de la tradición cultural del país. Cataluña y, en general, la lengua catalana mostró una especial predilección por estos canales juveniles, predilección que continúa teniendo lugar y presencia en la actualidad. En otras comunidades -como la gallega-, será fundamentalmente la prensa escolar la que dé lugar a primeras y muy genuinas muestras de prensa local, con comarcas enteras implicadas en la publicación de periódicos que trascienden el ámbito de la escuela y de la propia comarca natural. Es el caso de los periódicos El Escolar y El Faro de Veiga, publicados en la primera década del siglo XX en Ortigueira, municipio de la provincia de A Coruña con una interesante tradición en el patrocinio y mantenimiento de peculiares iniciativas de prensa local. Vinculados a esta tradición, y con el apoyo económico de las sociedades y centros gallegos de La Habana y Buenos Aires, dichos periódicos escolares fueron capaces de superar la dimensión de experiencias pedagógicas más o menos adelantadas para convertirse, dentro de sus límites, en documento y crónica de su tiempo. Serán, por otra parte, el precedente de una interesante producción de prensa escolar en Galicia que se mantiene y renueva en nuestros días.
El doblaje cinematográfico: factores de eficacia desde la recepción
Authors: Palencia Villa Rosa María
Published: January 2023

La globalización del mercado audiovisual ha provocado que la transferencia lingüística en sus productos sea cada vez mayor. En géneros de ficción, esta transferencia se produce mediante dos métodos mayoritarios: la subtitulación y el doblaje. Mientras el primero históricamente se instaló en los países europeos cuya lengua conseguía un mercado audiovisual más reducido, el doblaje lo hizo principalmente en aquellos países cuya lengua alcanzaba mercados más amplios. Estas tendencias históricas han motivado que las audiencias respectivas sigan prefiriendo reiteradamente uno u otro procedimiento, de manera que incluso la reciente proliferación de transferencia lingüística a las lenguas europeas más minoritarias se practica como subtitulación o como doblaje, dependiendo de la respectiva tradición.
La prensa belga, durante la etapa de preeminencia liberal (1857- 1884)
Authors: Fernández Alonso Isabel
Published: January 2023

Este artículo pretende ser una continuación del publicado en el segundo número de Ambitos bajo el título "La prensa en la Bélgica unionista y postunionista (1830-1857)". Como ocurría entonces, la delimitación histórica del trabajo obedece a la evolución política del país, que entre 1857 y 1919 vivió sumido en un bipartidismo, apenas alterado por el nacimiento del Partido Obrero Belga en 1885. Así, el Partido Liberal, cuyo congreso constituyente se había celebrado en 1846, gobernó entre 1857 y 1870 y entre 1878 y 1884; mientras que los católicos, que no fundan el partido hasta 1884, ocupan el poder de 1870 a 1878, y de 1884 hasta las elecciones de noviembre de 1919.
Producción del temario periodístico local
Authors: González Borjas Antonia
Published: January 2023

Al igual que ocurre en los niveles de difusión nacional o regional, en el ámbito local los medios de comunicación se convierten en creadores de una actualidad desde el mismo momento en que establecen su agenda temática. La lista de asuntos en los que estos fijan su atención y sobre los que informan con prioridad sobre otros se incorpora a la agenda cuando el medio quiere, de alguna manera, influir sobre ellos, ya que convirtiéndolos en temas de interés colectivo puede informar y opinar sobre los mismos. De esta forma, la realidad mediática termina decidiendo qué es lo realmente importante para la audiencia. La recopilación, selección y jerarquización conforman los pasos del proceso de producción del temario periodístico.
La responsabilidad social del periodista, frente a la noticia como mercancía
Authors: Vizcarra Silvia
Published: January 2023

Frecuentemente, la ocurrencia de ciertos hechos lamentables nos demuestra que estamos atravesando por una grave crisis de los valores tradicionales. De forma general se observa que principios fundamentales considerados antaño de carácter universal, han perdido vigencia como sistema de valores, incidiendo negativamente en las diferentes actividades sociales, donde el Periodismo en cuanto tal, no se encuentra ajeno al problema.
Pero antes de cualquier reflexión, resulta necesario aclarar qué se entiende por valor.
Diversos autores coinciden en que el valor va siempre unido a una necesidad; es decir, a un objeto se le atribuye valor porque tiene cualidades que responden a determinadas necesidades. En consecuencia, “el valor no existe en sí. Es la propiedad que adquiere una cosa o una actitud para alguien porque responde a una necesidad”
Una perspectiva comunicacional y psicológica de la acción social constructivista
Authors: Pitti Ronald
Published: January 2023

Para que ocurra acción social debe aparecer en escena un elemento indispensable: el ser humano involucrado, interesado en resolver situaciones y problemas que afectan su condición de tal para un alcance significativo de sus realizaciones personales y sociales.  
Al tomar la psicología como objeto de estudio individuos concretos, se encuentra ante sujetos con una visión del mundo básicamente individual y que para involucrarse en el contexto de acción social, deben agruparse, organizarse y relacionarse en diversos estratos sociales jugando diversos papeles que pueden ser activos, conscientes y creativos, o al menos parecen serlo. Esta interacción involucra procesos de conciencia, sentimientos y acción comunicativa.
Análisis de un periodismo de datos al servicio de la propaganda política. Caso del diario La Rioja
Authors: Mateos Martín Concha
Published: January 2023

En "Teoría de la segregación de públicos al servicio de la propaganda  política" desarrollamos la primera parte de este análisis. En aquella describimos conceptualmente un proceso con el que se segregaba a los lectores de periódicos y secciones especializadas y generalistas. Con ello dejamos trazado el marco en el que encuadrar ahora el análisis de las páginas que el diario regional La Rioja dedica a informar sobre la evolución de los precios dentro de su sección de asuntos generales de la comunidad autónoma (sección  Región).
Elementos para entender la relación jueces – periodistas
Authors: López Lastra Martín
Published: January 2023

La relación entre jueces y periodistas suele estar signada por la necesidad de compatibilizar el debido proceso que debe preservarse en un juicio oral y público y el derecho a la información que reclama el periodismo para ejercer su trabajo, en el marco de la libertad de prensa.
La necesidad de protección de la música como patrimonio cultural y artístico Piratería y antipiratería
Authors: Sedeño Valdellós Ana María
Published: January 2023

El trabajo se plantea las causas de la actual desmitificación de la práctica musical y sus consecuencias en la industria de la música, tales como la transformación de los contextos de recepción musical y de la concepción industrial de la música, así como la aparición de fenómenos posteriores como la piratería.
La prensa en la Era Digital Estrategias periodísticas para fidelizar a los lectores y generar nuevas fuentes de ingresos a lo largo de toda la cadena de valor
Authors: Rojo Villada Pedro Antonio
Published: January 2023

Aunque los periódicos ya cuentan con una sólida posición en sus respectivos mercados locales, muchos de ellos tienen dificultades para mantener el volumen de ventas y generar mayores márgenes de beneficio debido a la fuerte competencia procedente de los nuevos medios interactivos (portales, directorios, buscadores, weblogs) y de las publicaciones gratuitas. Estos nuevos competidores representan una seria amenaza para los lectores de la prensa.

Para mantener e incrementar sus ventas los diarios tienen que aprovechar sus atributos más valiosos, o sea, el contenido, la afinidad a lo local y las nuevas posibilidades de distribución. Estas fortalezas permiten a los diarios concentrarse en cuatro ámbitos claves: el desarrollo de productos, el marketing de la marca, el valor añadido y el factor humano para aumentar su calidad y mantener un prestigio secular, combatiendo la amenaza de sus rivales.
La libertad de expresión, en el paradigma de las nuevas tecnologías y la sociedad de la información
Authors: Pérez Ariza Carlos
Published: January 2023

Este trabajo analiza los usos y las perspectivas del ejercicio de la libertad de expresión, en la nueva realidad de la utilización creciente de las tecnologías de la comunicación, fundamentalmente aplicadas a los procesos informativos y cómo se articulan en la denominada sociedad de la información, con la intención de comprobar la calidad de tal libertad.
Alcohol use disorder in the intensive care unit a highly morbid condition, but chemical dependency discussion improves outcomes
Authors: Colling Kristin , Kraft Alexandra K. , Harry Melissa L.
Published: January 2023

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are common in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and increase the risk for worse outcomes. In this study, we describe factors associated with patient mortality after ICU admission and the effect of chemical dependency (CD) counseling on outcomes in the year following ICU admission. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient demographics, hospital data, and documentation of CD counseling by medical providers for all ICU patients with AUD admitted to our institution between January 2017 and March 2019. Primary outcomes were in-hospital and 1-year mortality.Results: Of the 527 patients with AUD requiring ICU care, median age was 56 years (range, 18–86 years). Both in-hospital mortality (12%) and 1-year mortality rates (27%) were high. . Rural patients, comorbidities, older age, need for mechanical ventilation, and complications were associated with increased risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality. CD counseling was documented for 73% of patients, and 50% of these patients accepted alcohol treatment or resources prior to discharge. CD evaluation and acceptance was associated with a significantly decreased rate of readmission for liver or alcohol-related issues (36% vs. 58%; odds ratio [OR], 0.41; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.27–0.61) and 1-year mortality (7% vs. 19.5%; OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16–0.64). CD evaluation alone, regardless of patient acceptance, was associated with a significantly decreased 1-year post-discharge mortality rate (12% vs. 23%; OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25–0.77.) Conclusions: ICU patients with AUD had high in-hospital and 1-year mortality. CD evaluation, regardless of patient acceptance, was associated with a significant decrease in 1-year mortality.
Gottlob Frege and Gongsun Long in Dialogue
Authors: Dolcini Nevia , Penco Carlo
Published: January 2023

This work addresses the critical discussion featured in the contemporary literature about two well-known paradoxes belonging to different philosophical traditions, namely Frege’s puzzling claim that “the concept horse is not a concept” and Gongsun Long’s “white horse is not horse”. We first present the source of Frege’s paradox and its different interpretations, which span from plain rejection to critical analysis, to conclude with a more general view of the role of philosophy as a fight against the misunderstandings that come from the different uses of language (a point later developed by the “second” Wittgenstein). We then provide an overview of the ongoing discussions related to the Bai Ma Lun paradox, and we show that its major interpretations include—as in the case of Frege’s paradox—dismissive accounts that regard it as either useless or wrong, as well as attempts to interpret and repair the argument. Resting on our reading of Frege’s paradox as an example of the inescapability of language misunderstandings, we advance a similar line of interpretation for the paradox in the Bai Ma Lun: both the paradoxes, we suggest, can be regarded as different manifestations of similar concerns about language, and specifically about the difficulty of referring to concepts via language.
Performance Investigations of the Charging and Discharging Processes in a 3-Tank Thermal Energy Storage System
Authors: Tusiime Swalehe , Nyeinga Karidewa , Okello Denis , Nydal Ole J.
Published: January 2023

The paper presents a 3 tank thermal energy storage system. The system consists of cold oil reservoir, heat storage tank, and a residual drainage tank. Cold oil flows by gravity into a heating chamber and after being heated to the required temperature, a mechanical thermostat opens allowing the hot oil to flow into a heat storage tank. The storage tank was discharged through the cooking unit by boiling 0.5 litres of water. The used oil flowed by gravity to the drainage tank. The discharge flow rates of 0.5, 2.1, 2.8 and 6.5 g/s were considered. A charging efficiency of 51.3% and overall discharging efficiency range of 15.3 34.7% were achieved. Charging efficiency increased when the source was embedded in the storage tank. The instantaneous discharge power had a peak value for each flow rate. The adopted cooking unit had a thermal transfer efficiency range of 34.7 57.6%. A method for sizing oil based TES systems was proposed and illustrated based on the obtained discharge results.

Keywords:     3-tank, sizing, discharging, efficiency, thermal energy
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Urinary Schistosomiasis-Related Morbidity among Communities in Itilima District, Tanzania
Authors: Yohana Coletha , Kinung’hi Safari M. , Nyundo Bruno A. , Rambau Peter F. , Bakuza Jared S.
Published: January 2023

Long-term infections by urinary schistosomiasis can result in urinary tract morbidities and increase the threats to public health. Information on the community’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on various aspects of urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium has been lacking in Itilima District, which is likely to perpetuate the transmission of the disease and its negative health consequences. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices on schistosomiasis-related morbidities in Itilima District from February to June 2021. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was used, and a total of 657 participants were involved in the study. A total of 575 participants (87.5%) had awareness on schistosomiasis compared to 82 (12.5%) who were not aware of the disease, and this variation was statistically significant (x² = 369.938, DF = 1, p < 0.001). The relationship between urinary schistosomiasis and its related morbidities was known by 111 (16.9%) respondents, while 546 (83.1%) knew nothing about it, and this variation was also statistically significant (c2 = 388.166, DF = 1, p < 0.001). It can be concluded that knowledge of urinary schistosomiasis and its related morbidities among the communities was limited. This is possibly because knowledge of infection stages of S. haematobium that causes the morbidity requires an understanding of disease etiology. Therefore, this study recommends that interventions to impart knowledge on schistosomiasis and the associated morbidities should be implemented in Itilima District.

Keywords:     Schistosomiasis, Urinary tract morbidity, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, Itilima District
Determination of Sugars, Amino Acids, pH and Alcohol in Bamboo Beverage from Southern Highlands, Tanzania
Authors: Kaale Lilian D.
Published: January 2023

The amounts of sugars and amino acids play significant roles in defining the fermentation process and quantifying the alcohol levels in beverages, while pH affects the biological stability, colour, oxidation rate, and protein stability of alcoholic beverages. This study investigated the sugar content, amino acids, alcohol levels, and pH of bamboo beverage from Tanzania's southern highlands. During storage, the sugars significantly decreased (p < 0.05), especially when kept at room temperature from 52.96 to 0.00 (source 1), 53.35 to 0.00 (source 2) and 53.57 to 0.00 (source 3) g/L for fructose, from 47.93 to 14.78 (source 1), 47.23 to 14.91 (source 2) and 47.61 to 14.77 (source 3) g/L for glucose, and from 0.40 to 0.00 (source 1), 0.36 to 0.00 (source 2) and 0.37 to 0.00 (source 3) g/L for sucrose after six days of storage. A total of 15 amino acids were determined from the bamboo beverage with tyrosine being the most prevalent (597.68 mg/L for source 1, 599.44 mg/L for source 2 and 597.83 mg/L for source 3), followed by valine (261.13 mg/L for source 1, 261.24 mg/L for source 2 and 262.54 mg/L for source 3), threonine (76.69 mg/L for source 1, 76.91 mg/L for source 2 and 77.13 mg/L for source 3), and serine (66.37 mg/L for source 1, 67.23 mg/L for source 2 and 66.68 mg/L for source 3). After six days of storage at room temperature, there was a significant decrease in pH from 4.04 to 3.63. Alcohol content ranged from 3.11 to 9.05% v/v at the room temperature storage. These results might facilitate the optimal use of bamboo beverages, which have been neglected due to lack of scientific information such as amino acid and sugar levels.

Keywords:  Bamboo beverage, ulanzi, amino acids, sugars, alcohol content
Phytochemical and Antibacterial Evaluations of Chloroform Extract of Mondia whitei (Hook F) skeels
Authors: Shehu Abdullahi , Egwemi Ojochide Inikpi , Ajayi Olufunmilayo Adeola , Hamid Abdulmumeen Amao
Published: January 2023

Mondia whitei, also known as Mondia, is an aromatic plant of Apocynaceae family. It is used as aphrodisiac, antidepressant, fertility medication and to improve appetite. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of the plant. The chloroform extract of M. whitei was screened for its antibacterial effects using agar diffusion method against five bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi). The extract was active against S. typhi, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus at 400, 400 and 200 mg/mL, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the extract was observed in a dose-dependent manner and was compared with standard antibiotic, ciprofloxacin. The phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phlobatannins and phytosterols. The GC-MS analysis of the extract afforded seventeen (17) compounds with major components being n-hexadecanoic acid (23.80%). The exhibited antibacterial activities justify the ethnomedicinal uses of M. whitei root.

Keywords: Mondia whitei, GC-MS, Antibacterial activity, Phytochemical
Spatial Analysis of Groundwater Potential: A first hand Approach towards Groundwater Development in Moroto District, Uganda
Authors: Lowot Musa W. , Alexander Augustina C.
Published: January 2023

Groundwater is a vital resource that helps mankind and development. However, in Moroto District challenges of groundwater development has increased arising from changes in rainfall patterns coupled with high abstraction from population increase. In this study, the spatial variability of groundwater potential was assessed to develop a tool that will aid decision on groundwater potential sites selection for groundwater development/exploration. The study utilized an integrated technique and tools such as Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in analysis and delineation of potential areas for successful groundwater development. The generated map through weighted overlay of thematic layers (slope, soil, lithology, rainfall, land use and land cover) produced five categories of potential zones indicating 90% (i.e., 35% very high, 40% high and 15% moderate) of the study area to be suitable for groundwater development and only 10% (i.e., 2% poor and 8% very poor) exists as poor groundwater potential zones. Maps produced from this study can hence be used to identify appropriate sites for groundwater development, and therefore minimizing unsuccessful boreholes development.

Keywords:    GIS; Groundwater Development; Groundwater Potential; MCDA; Spatial Analysis.
Impacts of Climate Change on Small Pelagic Fish Catches in the Coastal Artisanal Fishers Communities of Tanzania
Authors: Kapapa Lyidia , Onyango Paul , Mukherjee Nibedita , Mfilinge Prosper
Published: January 2023

Climate-related effects occur across all regions in Tanzania, affecting primary sectors such as agriculture and fishing. This study investigated the impacts of climatic change on small pelagic catches in fishers in Kilindoni, Kipumbwi and Kilwa Kivinje villages along the Tanzanian coast. We studied how changes in rainfall, sea surface temperature, wind speed and chlorophyll a affect small pelagic fisheries using primary and secondary data. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Primary data collection involved questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Secondary data was obtained from Tanzania Meteorological Agency and remote sensing from Modi's sensor. Results showed an increase in sea surface temperature (tau = 0.0151, 0.0121, 0.0238 for Kilindoni, Kilwa Kivinje and Kipumbwi, respectively) and unpredictable changes in rainfall patterns which affected small pelagic fisheries. The average rainfall was 284.6, 97.5 and 56.4 mm in Kilindoni, Kilwa Kivinje and Kipumbwi, respectively. In recent years, rain has been unreliable compared to the past 20 years. Unpredictable rainfall, increased sea surface temperature, wind speed and chlorophyll a had negatively impacted the small pelagic fishery. There was a strong relationship between the decline of small pelagic catches and climatic variables. The findings of this study have implications for coastal fisher's livelihood, income and food security.

Keywords:  Coastal communities; small pelagic fishery; climate change; fisheries; livelihood
Quantifying the Effects of Guessing, Position Bias and Prior Knowledge in Multiple Choice Exams
Authors: Maguya Almasi S.
Published: January 2023

“Can an examinee pass a multiple-choice (MC) exam by chance?” Many studies have tried to address this question. However, these studies ignore different types of position bias associated with picking an item from a list. Despite the presence of considerable evidence on the existence of position bias in guessing answers in MC exams, these studies assume an examinee chooses answers with equal probability. This paper seeks to fill this gap by quantifying the chance of success in MC exams due to guessing when different types of position bias and prior knowledge are taken into consideration. The paper proposes a probabilistic model for position bias and uses it to conduct a series of computer simulations for quantifying the chance of passing an MC exam. Results show that the chance of passing an MC exam by pure random guessing is generally negligible even for a poorly set MC exam. Furthermore, resultsshow that chances for an examinee with a fair amount of prior knowledge passing an MC exam of acceptable standard are between very high and perfect. Since a typical examinee is expected to possess some amount of prior knowledge, these results imply that despite their popularity, MCexams should be avoided particularly in high-stake exams where they can lead to false positives.

Keywords:     Multiple-choice exams; multiple-choice questions; position bias; computer simulation.
Wpływ przynależności do grupy zawodowej pielęgniarek i lekarzy na milczenie organizacyjne
Authors: Kudryńska Barbara , Krzywdziński Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

The impact of belonging to the professional group of nurses and doctors on the organizational silence

Employees who have relevant information about the functioning of the organization sometimes decide to share this information, and in other cases, they choose not to disclose their opinion. In the literature on the subject, this phenomenon is called organizational silence. This study aimed to try to answer whether the position in the organization and belonging to a specific professional group will impact organizational silence. The survey covered representatives of employees of two professional groups – doctors and nurses. The questionnaires were completed by 30 doctors and 35 nurses. The study showed that in the three analyzed situations, the hypothesis, assuming that the silence of employees is more pronounced in a situation where the violation of the applicable professional standards concerns people from the same professional group of nurses or doctors, was confirmed only in the case of a “mistake in administering the drug”.
Nurt Open Building w kontekście kryzysu mieszkaniowego w Polsce
Authors: Łątka Jerzy F. , Terelak Marcelina
Published: January 2023

Kryzys mieszkaniowy jest jednym z największych wyzwań w Polsce. Możliwym kierunkiem zaradczym są inwestycje, w których środki publiczne i prywatne przeznaczane są odpowiednio na teren, budowę struktury i infrastruktury technicznej oraz na wypełnienie, czyli przegrody budowlane i wyposażenie. Metoda podziału inwestycji wg powyższego schematu nazwana została Open Building (OB). Zakłada ona możliwość elastycznego kształtowania powierzchni użytkowej budynków zrealizowanych we współpracy pomiędzy inwestorami publicznymi i prywatnymi, w tym przyszłymi mieszkańcami. Celem badań jest analiza nurtu Open Building jako potencjalnego elementu polskiej polityki mieszkaniowej. Przyjęta metoda badawcza polega na analizie sytuacji mieszkaniowej w Polsce, analizie nurtu OB oraz zrealizowanych budynków zgodnych z jego założeniami, a także wskazaniu możliwej strategii wdrożenia OB jako elementu przeciwdziałanian wykluczeniu mieszkaniowemu.

The Open Building in the context of the housing crisis in Poland

The housing crisis is one of the biggest challenges in Poland. Potential remedies are investments in which public and private funds are allocated respectively for land, a construction, a building infrastructure, and the infill, i.e. the building envelope and equipment. The method of dividing investments according to the above scheme is called Open Building (OB). It assumes the flexible shaping of the usable area of buildings constructed in cooperation between public and private investors, including future residents. The research aims to analyse the Open Building as a potential element of Polish housing policy. The adopted research method consists of the analysis of the housing situation in Poland, analysis of the OB and realized investments complying with its assumptions, as well as indicating a possible implementation strategy of OB as an element of counteracting housing exclusion.
Nowy ład przestrzenny miasta wielokulturowego. Valletta, Malta
Authors: Jagiełło-Kowalczyk Magdalena , Marcisz Magdalena , Dziadkowiec Paulina , Stopka Marcin
Published: January 2023

W artykule skupiono się na zdiagnozowaniu problemów społeczno-przestrzennych Malty jako kraju wielokulturowego. Badania prowadzono w oparciu o zdefiniowanie potrzeb mieszkańców kraju oraz na analizie rozwoju społeczno-przestrzennego reprezentatywnej dla Malty – Vallety. Wnioski z badań posłużyły jako punkt wyjścia do próby wytyczenia kierunków kształtowania nowego ładu przestrzennego dla miasta. Badania prowadzono w ramach współpracy Politechniki Krakowskiej z Konsulatem Republiki Malty w Krakowie. Powstały propozycje projektowe współczesnych założeń architektoniczno-urbanistycznych w stolicy Malty uwzględniające wytyczne wynikające z wniosków z przeprowadzonych badań. Propozycje te zostały przedstawione w pracach dyplomowych magisterskich studentów drugiego stopnia kierunku Architektura na Wydziale Architektury Politechniki Krakowskiej.

A Multi-Cultural City’s New Spatial Order: Valletta, Malta

This paper focuses on diagnosing the socio-spatial problems of Malta as a multi-cultural country. The study was based on defining the needs of the country’s citizens and an analysis of the socio-spatial development of Valletta – as a city representative of Malta. The conclusions of this investigation served as a starting point for an attempt to formulate guidelines for shaping a new spatial order for the city. The study was performed as a part of cooperation between the Cracow University of Technology with the Consulate of the Republic of Malta in Cracow. Design proposals of contemporary architectural and urban complexes in Malta’s capital that included said guidelines were drafted. These proposals were presented in Master’s thesis projects prepared by second-cycle students of the Architecture course taught at the Faculty of Architecture of the Cracow University of Technology.
The Experience of Citizenship and Acculturation Among Slavic Migrants in Poland
Authors: Klakla Jan Bazyli
Published: January 2023

This paper presents an excerpt from the results of research on the relationship between the experience of the legal and institutional environment by long-term Slavic migrants living in Poland and their acculturation process. It concentrates on the experience of citizenship and its connection to acculturation processes. Template analysis (TA) was conducted on data from (A) five in-depth expert interviews with migration professionals, (B) 20 biographical and narrative interviews with migrants from European Slavic countries who came to Poland between 1989 and 2010, and (C) legal and policy documents. The findings provide information about (A) migrants’perceived irrelevance of citizenship, (B) their perceived importance of citizenship, (C) the presence of formal and informal barriers to accessing citizenship status, and (D) the sense of obligation that citizenship evokes. The research argues that it is unjustified to treat citizenship uncritically as the main indicator of the effects of the acculturation process or only as an instrument that inevitably supports this process.
Kapral Zbigniew Antoni Kruszewski „Jowisz” – konspiracyjne i powstańcze losy emigranta
Authors: Wójciuk Michał Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Artykuł jest próbą omówienia konspiracyjnych i powstańczych losów kpr. Zbigniewa Kruszewskiego „Jowisza” po wojnie profesora Uniwersytetu Teksańskiego w El Paso. W czasie swojego dzieciństwa w Warszawie doświadczył kataklizmu wojny i tragedii okupacji niemieckiej. Jako kilkunastolatek włączył się w prace polskiej konspiracji w szeregach „Zawiszaków” harcerskiego pionu zrzeszającego najmłodszych działaczy Szarych Szeregów (konspiracyjne harcerstwo męskie). W czasie powstania warszawskiego służył w III Zgrupowaniu „Konrad”, a następnie w Poczcie Polowej. Wziął udział w niebezpiecznej misji kurierskiej poza Warszawę, w której cudem uniknął śmierci. W końcowym etapie powstania był żołnierzem kompanii „Bradla” w Batalionie „Miłosz”. Po upadku powstania, razem z wojskiem trafił do niewoli niemieckiej. Ważnym elementem tekstu, oprócz przedstawienia losów powstańca jest również próba refleksji nad powojennymi dylematami uczestników walk o Warszawę, związanymi z pozostaniem na emigracji. Na podstawie ponad 20 relacji uczestników powstania, zarysowano problem pytań i rozterek wojennych rozbitków kwestii ułożenia sobie życia poza granicami Ojczyzny po zakończeniu wojny w 1945 r.

This paper was an attempt to describe the service of cpl. Zbigniew Kruszewski „Jowisz” („Jupiter”) during conspiracy and Warsaw Uprising. When he was a child, he expereienced a cataclysm of war and tragedy of german occupation. As a few years old child he got involved in polish conspiracy and became a member of Szare Szeregi and got assigned to „Zawiszacy” – the group of the youngest boy scouts. During the first phase of Warasaw Uprising he served in Group „Konrad” and later in Field Postal Servce. He also took part in high risking mission, during which he was a courier delivering information outside Warsaw and miracously escped death. In the last days of Warsaw Uprising he served in „Bradl” Company of „Miłosz” Battalion. After the fall of Warsaw Uprising, he was taken into captivity. Apart from describing the life of Zbigniew Kruszewski, another important part of this article is consideration about post-war dilemmas which were faced by former Uprisers. Basing on over 20 relations, in this article were outlined perpelities concerning on living outside Homeland after the end of war in 1945 which were faced by post-war casaways.