bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal determinants of low birth weight- a record-based study from a tertiary care centre in central India
Authors: Nair Parvati , Wadhva Sarita , Ukey Ujwala , Narlawar Uday , Dabir Aditi
Published: January 2023

Background: Birth weight is a major determinant of child’s health and nutrition. There are various factors which determine birth weight like maternal age, parity, socio economic status etc. A new born weighing less than 2.5 kg is classified as a low birth weight (LBW) baby. Low birth weight can be prevented by improving health status and socio-economic status of the community, improving antenatal care and also by providing proper health education.
Methods: A record-based study was carried out in a tertiary care facility of central India. Labour room records from January 2021 to December 2021 were reviewed. The details on birth weight, gender, gestational age, parity, and mode of delivery were obtained and recorded. The data obtained was entered in Microsoft office excel software. Statistical analysis was carried out with the help of open Epi.
Results: Out of 4266 records which were studied 46.65% mothers were in the age group 21-25 years and 53.52% were multiparas. The proportion of LBW was found to be 41.30%. LBW was found to have a significant association between age of mother, parity, residence and gender of the baby.
Conclusions: In this study, sociodemographic factors, maternal age and multiparity has contributed substantially to LBW. Hospitals should inform pregnant women about the importance of appropriate age at conception. It is high time to discuss the aftereffects of older maternal age in detail and to focus more on biological components underlying these associations.
Assessment of cold chain and vaccine management practices in cold chain points of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pritwani Sabhya , Quereishi M. Jawed
Published: January 2023

Background: To maintain the immunization effectiveness, and uninterrupted availability of vaccine functional cold chain is required. This can be achieved by continuous monitoring and supervision. The objective was to assess the functionality and monitoring of cold chain points of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the month of January 2021 in 15 old and new cold chain points, which were selected randomly from all the five blocks of district. Block level “supportive supervision of cold chain and vaccine management” checklist was used to collect the data. The data was presented in frequency and percentages.
Results: The key findings were shortage of staff, placement of cold chain equipment and ice packs not as per the guidelines, irregular monthly review of temperature, and periodic monitoring with available documentation.
Conclusions: There were shortfalls in the basic components of cold chain which requires immediate attention from the officials.
Role of diet in fertility: a descriptive cross-sectional study on the knowledge among medical practitioners in South India
Authors: Vardhan Yenuganti Vishnu , Dande Rajasekar Vedapriya , Nirupama A. Y.
Published: January 2023

Background: Adherence to healthy diets favouring seafood, poultry, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, are related to better fertility in women and better semen quality in men. Along with pharmaceutical treatment, the role of a proper diet and lifestyle has been highlighted in many diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Likewise, the role of diet in fertility is a less explored area which holds great potential. The first step towards implementation of this fact will be increasing the awareness about the same among healthcare professionals, mainly doctors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study including medical practitioners in 3 hospitals each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Assuming 50% prevalence and 8% allowable error, sample size was calculated to be 156. Data collection was done using a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire.
Results: Among the total, 80.1% of the medical practitioners responded that diet played an important role in boosting fertility of an individual and 72.1% had faced questions regarding the foods to improve fertility. In terms of knowledge, 28% of the respondents were able to score more than 60 out of a maximum score of 100.
Conclusions: Future efforts should concentrate on solidifying emerging evidence and to jointly consider female and male diets along with other interventions for infertility management.
Modified B. G. Prasad socioeconomic scale: 2022 update of India
Authors: Sood Parul , Bindra Supreet , Singh Pankajpreet
Published: January 2023

Socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most important determinants of family’s health as well as access to resources. It is vital to determine the SES of the participant in community-based research for documenting the incidence and prevalence of numerous health related events. The modified BG Prasad SES is one of the most widely used tool to determine the SES of rural and urban population but this scale requires regular update taking into account the inflation and deflation of value of the Rupees as this scale is based on the per capita Income of an individual. It is based on consumer price index (CPI) for industrial workers. The updated version of Modified BG Prasad for year 2022 thus presented.
Co-epidemics: implications of COVID-19 outbreak associated with human immune-deficiency virus, tuberculosis and Lassa fever in a low resource economy-a call for proactive measures
Authors: Osho P. Olanrewaju  , Osho E. Omosalewa  , Okoro Lawrence , Ojo-Rowland Olawale
Published: January 2023

As the global struggle to combat the quadruple burden of COVID-19, human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and Lassa fever continues to increase, Sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected region, especially Nigeria. There is a close interaction between these four diseases and a clear understanding of each of these diseases is very crucial. People living with chronic medical conditions such as HIV, TB and Lassa fever are more likely to experience poor outcomes from COVID-19 even though there are still some unknown facts as regards the burden of COVID-19 on patients with TB, Lassa fever and HIV in our low-middle–income nation. This study was conducted to review different researches on COVID-19 associated with HIV, TB and Lassa fever co-infections, to understand the interactions between them and its implications on clinical investigations and health management in high burden countries of COVID-19, especially Nigeria. The research was designed to accommodate research and reports from different geopolitical zones of Nigeria where the diseases has been reported and centering on Ondo State reports. This was done using search engines, with reference to valid studies from academic sources like ResearchGate, PubMed and Google Scholar. We also evaluated various related titles, abstracts and full reports for eligibility. Ondo state was the centre of study as it is one of the states with high prevalence of Lassa fever, TB, HIV and COVID-19 co-infections in Nigeria. Structured diagnostic algorithms and clinical management are suggested to improve COVID-19/HIV/TB/Lassa fever or COVID-19/Lassa fever co-infection outcomes. With low quality of health care facilities for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 and Lassa fever, reliance on clinical acumen and high index of suspicion may be the only process that health professionals may rely upon to make early diagnosis.
Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Arab Gulf countries: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Almojarthe Bandar M.
Published: January 2023

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an important growing psychiatric health problem of children and adolescents all over the world. This review aimed to investigate the prevalence of ADHD in the Arab Gulf countries. A literature search was conducted on 14 January 2022. Any paper reporting the prevalence of ADHD in Arab Gulf countries was included. R software was used for the meta-analysis. We included 14 papers. The prevalence of ADHD was 5.90% (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.73-20.14). We found no significant difference in the prevalence of ADHD between males and females (odds ratio (OR)=1.48; 95% CI=0.53-4.14; p value=0.456). The leave-one-out sensitivity analysis did not change the statistical significance proving that a single study did not drive the pooled effect size. Regarding parents’ educational level, the prevalence was the highest among children born to fathers with at least a secondary education 51% (95% CI= 22.97-100.00), while the prevalence rate was comparable among those with primary school education 16.6% (95% CI=1.28-100.00) and illiterate fathers 17% (95% CI=12.84-22.59). The difference between different education subgroups was statistically significant (p=0.040). There were no statistically significant differences in ADHD prevalence when comparing different mothers’ educational levels (p=0.260). The estimated cumulative evidence is high but comparable with the reported worldwide rates. Unlike these studies, the prevalence of ADHD was not associated with gender or maternal education. On the other hand, the highest prevalence of ADHD was found among children of fathers with at least a secondary education.
Quality of life: concepts, needs, psychometric measurement, factors associated and treatment responsiveness in depression disorder
Authors: Sevak Sanjay , G. Balamurugan
Published: January 2023

Quality of life (QOL) is a multifaceted concept that warrants attention, especially in depression disorder. This review aimed to summarize the empirical evidence regarding concepts, needs, psychometric measurement, factors associated, and treatment responsiveness in depression disorder. The narrative review was conducted based on studies published in English databases from the last three decades to 2022 on the evidence from extensive electronic databases using PubMed, SCOPUS, PsychINFO, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The significant findings from books, journals and grey literature were also included. Based on relevant and significant facts the concepts were developed and evidence-based narrations were made under each concept to understand QOL in depression disorder. This review found a significant association between poorer QOL with the severity of depression and, its association with age of respondents, the intensity of the depressive symptoms, lower education, subjective perception of health, lower socio-economical status, and social support. The review signifies the needs and psychometric instruments of QOL in patients with depressive disorder. The review revealed that psychoeducation, multimodal and community-based lifestyle intervention, self-awareness and body-mind-spirit interventions, CBT, group therapy and mental health promotion intervention improved the QOL in depression disorder. The study concluded that QOL is a patient-centric approach, and should be involved as the standard measure of evaluating care outcomes, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness through the incorporation of the various treatment approaches in clinical practice. Despite being an essential component QOL is received relatively little attention in depression disorder by clinicians and mental health professionals.
Geographic information systems applications in India's public health are we moving towards the right direction?
Authors: Bhattacharya Debajyoti
Published: January 2023

Governments worldwide focus particularly on digital healthcare sensors for leveraging data and technology like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve governance and service delivery. Geoinformatics technology can help with epidemiological research and outbreak response, minimizing the health consequences in communities beforehand, during, and then after epidemic episodes. We can all agree that location and time play a crucial role in carrying out an efficient public health response. Since location information is essential for every stage of planning, response, and recovery, GIS helps the location-based support of public health preparedness programmes like support for decisions, resource allocation, communication and collaboration, and civic participation. GIS scales to situations ranging from adverse weather to pandemics. Public health professionals can coordinate their efforts with those of other organizations and external stakeholders due to maps and apps. The public health preparedness community may achieve significant strides by incorporating GIS data, models, communication and engagement centres, and location-centric apps. GIS technology can help with this efficient method for gathering data, performing analysis, where they are most needed, interacting with decision-makers, and finally achieving health equity can be created with the aid of a location-based strategy. During COVID-19, this reality was disseminated more extensively through the news media and the national, state, and local governments. This paper evaluates the application of GIS in the Indian public health system and the various aspects of public health where GIS may emerge as a game-changer for future policy decisions.
P2X7 receptor in normal and cancer cells in the perspective of nucleotide signaling
Authors: Matyśniak Damian , Oslislok Magdalena , Pomorski Paweł
Published: January 2023

Nucleotides are the most common compounds produced constantly by living organisms. They are involved in most cellular processes like the synthesis of other nucleotides and nucleic acids, generation of energy needed for the maintenance of cells, and molecular signaling. In the 70s sir. Geoffrey Burstock discovered a new class of transmembrane proteins – nucleotide receptors responding to nucleotides and their derivatives. For historical reasons, we distinguish two main classes of nucleotide receptors: P1 – which are G protein-coupled adenosine receptors, and P2 – nucleotide receptors that respond to ATP and its derivatives. Additionally, the P2 receptors family can be divided into two subgroups: P2Y – G protein-coupled receptors and P2X cation channel receptors. This paper focuses mainly on the most researched receptor in the nucleotide receptors family – the P2X7 receptor – presenting it in the background of the nucleotide signaling landscape. Almost thirty years of extensive studies on the receptor contributed to understanding protein structure, splicing variants, and mechanism of action in somatic cells. Despite such a wide spectrum of research, the role of the receptor in cancer progression is still undetermined. In many reports, we can find information about the anti-tumorigenic role of this receptor caused by activation of the cell death mechanism after membrane pore formation. These results, however, contradict other studies in which the same receptor is known to promote cancer development through stimulation of proliferation and activation of pro-survival pathways. Ultimately, all this gathered knowledge points to two faces of the receptor in tumor progression. Therefore, we do provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. Finally, we also try to systemize previous and recent literature about the role of this receptor in somatic and cancer cells and provide access to it in the form of a convenient table.
The Effect of Product Quality, Price and Promotion on the Purchase Decision of Indihome Services Pt. Telkom Indonesia (Study on Indihome Consumers in Semarang City Area)
Authors: Pangestika Agnes  May , Iriyanto Setia , Purwanto Edy
Published: January 2023

The background of this research is based on the decrease in the number of Indihome service users in 2021 in the city of Semarang and the differences in the results of previous studies. This study aims to analyze the effect of product quality, price and promotion on purchasing decisions of Indihome PT. Telkom Indonesia Semarang City Area.The data used is primary data, with data collection techniques through questionnaires. The population used is all customers who buy IndiHome services in 2021 in Semarang City, with a total research sample of 100 respondents, with a sampling technique using simple random sampling. The data analysis technique used multiple linear regression analysisThe results obtained that partially product quality has a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.000 <0.05. Price has a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.00 < 0.05, and promotion has a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.002 < 0.000. The results simultaneously obtained that product quality, price, and promotion together have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions with a significance value of 0.000 <0.05. The results of the coefficient of determination obtained a value of 0.744, meaning that product quality, price, and promotion can explain variations in purchasing decisions of 74.4%.
The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in predicting postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after ureteroscopy
Authors: YAHŞİ Sedat , CEVİZ Kazım
Published: January 2023

Objectives: The predictive value of some preoperative inflammatory markers for postoperative infective complications in urinary system stone disease has been demonstrated. We investigated how valuable the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is as a marker for the development of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients undergoing ureteroscopy. Methods: The data of 495 patients who met the study criteria were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into groups according to whether they developed SIRS postoperatively or not. The clinical and demographic data of the patient groups as well as blood parameters were evaluated. Results: Postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome was detected in 105 (21.2%) of the patients. Age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, preoperative urinary culture positivity, SII, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were found to be significant for the development of SIRS. When the areas under the curve were measured in the ROC analysis, it was seen that the SII, NLR, LMR and PLR had high predictive values for the development of SIRS (area under the curve values of 0.73, 0.76, 0.72 and 0.67, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, among the risk factors, age, cardiovascular disease, preoperative urinary culture positivity and NLR were determined as independent risk factors. Conclusions: Study revealed that only NLR among inflammatory markers is an independent risk factor for the development of SIRS. Although there is a relationship between the preoperative SII and the development of SIRS, it is not an independent risk factor. Along with many other variables, it may contribute to the development of SIRS.
Increase in Yield and Immunity in Bam OTM Treated Papaya Plants in India
Authors: Kharat Kiran R. , Pottathil Raveendran
Published: January 2023

Background: Carica papaya L. (family Caricaceae) is one of the popular fruits in world. As with many tropical and subtropical crops, papaya is host to various pests and pathogens. More than 700 papaya plants were infected by unknown virus. The incidence of plants infected with leaf curl disease was 50-75%, but the infection was very severe. A typical curling and thickening were observed. The infection spread by air and rainwater to nearby papaya farms. Methods: This study reports the effect of BamO formulation on the biotic stress of the Papaya plant. BamO was sprayed on the plants and its effect was observed. After six days of Bam O treatment, new healthy leaves were observed on the plants. Result: The yellow and old leaves were dropped from the plants. After 2 months of the treatment BamO, the fruits were elongated and having similar shapes without uneven bumps. The green fruits without any dark or light spots were observed in BamO treated plants. Priming effect was observed by GCMS analysis, the 3 methylsalicylic acid increased quantity was observed in 7th day and 30th day samples of BamO treated plants. The BamO treatment not only increased the immunity of the plant but found effective in increasing yield of the papaya plants. In BamO treated papaya plants, the total yield obtained was 92.10 tonnes per 444 plants.
Application of DNA-free CRISPR/Cas-mediated Genome Editing in Crops: A Review
Authors: Kumari Varsha , Kumawat Priyanka , Rajput S.S. , Yeri Sharanbasappa , Gothwal D.K. , Choudhary Sharda , Kumhar B.L. , Kunwar Ram , Kumawat G.L.
Published: January 2023

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system was instigated first into eukaryotes in the last ten years are becoming productive and worldwide application for genome modification. Genome engineering through insertion of foreign DNA insert have numerous disadvantages which could be overcome by use of DNA-free genome editing. Various ways of DNA-free genome editing mediated by CRISPR/Cas systems are CRISPR/Cas delivery as ribonucleoprotein, delivery of CRISPR/Cas as virus-like particles and agrobacterium-based delivery of CRISPR/Cas. Crop improvement through DNA-free genome editing via CRISPR/Cas have been applied in rice, wheat, maize, tomato, soybean and rare species like Nicotiana benthamiana etc. It is method of choice for precise genome editing without genome shuffle in an organism.
Influence of Poverty Gap and Severity Index on Production among Cassava based Farmers in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel E. Agbachom , Maria B. Onabe , Victor Abayan , Regina Anoh , Ikutal Ajigo , Ettah Otu I. , Ubi Godwin M.
Published: January 2023

Background: Poverty has been a prevailing challenge among individuals and farmers most especially in the Nigerian economy. The study analyzed poverty status of cassava farmers in Agrarian cassava region in Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: A multistage sampling technique was adopted in selecting 120 respondents using structured questionnaire between 2019 and 2022. Data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Results showed that the poverty line estimated across all gender was N 17,770.80 and 64.15% of the male farmers were non-poor while 35.85% of them were poor. Male recorded the highest poverty head count ratio (P0) of 0.358. The poverty gap (P1) and severity of poverty (P2) among male farmers were 9.8 and 4.8 per cent, respectively. Similarly, poverty head count (P0), poverty gap (P1) and severity of poverty (P2) for female farmers was 32.8%, 9.7% and 4% respectively. Drudgery/ inadequate access to modern equipment (2.74), high cost of labour (2.64), high perishability of cassava (2.60), high cost of transportation (2.55), fluctuation in prices (2.43) and lack of improved variety (2.38) were the serious constraint faced by cassava farmers during their production in the study area. Policies should be directed towards enhancing farmer income and reducing income inequality through access to credit facility for cassava based farmers.
Onde Está a Nova Era?
Authors: Wolff Kerlon Pothin
Published: January 2023

Tendo por base a revisão do livro Uma Nova Ordem Mundial: o Governo da Nova Era, o presente artigo questiona a abordagem cristã deste assunto quase três décadas depois, sugerindo hipóteses para responder por que o tema da Nova Era já não é discutido, ou por que parece ter desaparecido. A principal hipótese levantada trata de como a hiperindividualização do entretenimento, típica da era digital, pode influenciar nossa capacidade de análise e reflexão sobre os tempos em que vivemos. Essa discussão se desenvolve ao redor de cinco aspectos sócio-culturais apresentados com o objetivo de destacar em linhas gerais, como a sociedade foi transformada desde a primeira edição do livro, em 1999.
Missiologia E Missio Dei
Authors: Oliveira Edenis Cesar
Published: January 2023

Periférico à agenda teológica tradicional até final do século XIX, os estudos missionários vêm ocupando importante espaço tanto nos debates de cunho acadêmico quanto das práticas de campo propriamente ditas, alcançando interesse global e, consequentemente, transcultural. Nesse contexto, o presente ensaio pretende contribuir minimamente com a continuidade desse diálogo, apresentando uma abordagem da eclesiologia missional, a partir do conceito de missio Dei, considerando a missiologia como campo de estudo da teologia. Iniciando com uma breve narrativa histórico-conceitual da missiologia, o texto avança para o conceito da missão de Deus e sua relação direta com a Igreja amalgamado na proposta da eclesiologia missional.
School Administrators’ Views on Problem Situations and Solution Recommendations in Distance Education during Covid-19 Pandemi
Authors: TEKİN BOZKURT Aykar
Published: January 2023

This study was conducted to get school principals’ views on transition to the distance education (via TRT-EBA TV and Education Information Network), which was implemented within the scope of the measures taken at schools in Turkey with Covid-19 pandemic, to identify the problems at schools in this process, to determine the activities to overcome the problems and to reveal administrators’ recommendations. In this qualitative research, the phenomenology design was preferred. The study was carried out in the spring semester of the 2020-2021 academic year. 15 school administrators working in Gaziantep were included in the study using the maximum sampling method. Due to the pandemic conditions, interviews were held with the participants by technological devices and data were collected in this way. The data were analyzed by content analysis. According to the findings, problems concentrated under four main headings (categories) at schools during pandemic. These are technology, adaptation, planning and school-family cooperation. In line with the school administrators’ views, problem situations were identified in sub-headings such as access to technology-based (online) education, student's technological proficiency, students' attendance in online classes, the environment in which students attend in distance education, distance education experience, supervision in distance education, teachers' adaptation to distance education, students' adaptation to distance education, psychological state and motivation, communication, preparing course schedules, arranging lessons such as remunerating the courses and calculating additional course allowances, planning in-school activities, providing parents' support for distance education and establishing school-family cooperation. Many activities and administrator recommendations to eliminate these problems were determined and presented in tables in the findings section. At the end of the study, some recommendations such as improving the infrastructure providing access to distance education, organizing trainings to increase technology literacy for both teachers and students, etc. were included for practitioners, policy makers and researchers.
Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on China’s International Image
Authors: Lin Shih-Kai , Chung Hung-Chang , Chen Tan-I
Published: January 2023

At the end of 2019 the first outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections occurred in Wuhan, prompting the China government to take up lockdown measures to stop the outbreak from spreading. This showed that the country’s pursuit of administrative efficiency against the epidemic came at the expense of the universal values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Moreover, the central government’s slow response to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 and its concealment led to it quickly spreading around the world. For this reason, U.S. President Trump’s administration frequently used the term “Chinese virus” in place of its proper terminology.Although China has been actively building up its image as a “great nation that has succeeded in fighting epidemics” through its “Global Foreign Propaganda” campaign and diplomatic actions, it has still been criticized by European countries, the United States, and other countries at international conferences. The United States and other countries formally blamed China for COVID-19 and asked for compensation, and even anti-Chinese sentiments in the international community have arisen. Although China has employed its “Global Foreign Propaganda” campaign and various diplomatic actions to refurbish and build up a heroic image of fighting against the epidemic, the international community still questions the integrity of its government and its political propaganda purposes.
A systemic approach to grapevine decline diagnosed using three key indicators: plant mortality, yield loss and vigour decrease
Authors: MEROT Anne , Coulouma Guillaume , Smits Nathalie , Robelot Elsa , Gary Christian , Guerin-Dubrana Lucia , Poulmach Jouanel , Burgun Xavier , Pellegrino Anne , Fermaud Marc
Published: January 2023

Grapevine decline, a major global viticulture issue, is defined as a multi-year decrease in vine productivity and/or increase in vine mortality. Although grapevine trunk diseases are one of the most-studied causes, decline is multifactorial and associated with more than 70 factors, including abiotic and biotic hazards. With so many factors to consider, the phenomenon difficult to understand, especially for winegrowers. Our study aims to make it easier to determine and assess grapevine decline by focusing on three key indicators: yield, mortality and vegetative vigour. We investigated the relationships between these indicators from both a temporal and spatial perspective to propose a set of diagnostic indicators. Thus, we conducted a winegrowers’ survey, an historical analysis of grapevine decline and field measurements of the abovementioned indicators on plot networks in three major French winegrowing regions (see graphical abstract): Bordeaux, Cognac and Languedoc. We found that farmers’ perceptions of decline were consistent with an objective characterisation of decline based on in-field measurements of the indicators. Although vine mortality progressively spread over the years, neither the survey nor the historical analysis showed a direct link between decline and yield loss. Rather, large yearly fluctuations in yield, which did not systematically decrease over time, account for this finding. As a result, the mortality rate and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) indicators were shown to be earlier indicators of grapevine decline than yield loss (yield achievement ratio, YAR). We performed a multifactorial analysis of the overall data set from the three regions to deepen our understanding of the variety of declining situations and the underlying environmental and management factors contributing to decline. Finally, two ground-based NDVI indicators and an image-analysis methodology using aerial photographs were proposed as easy-to-obtain indicators of grapevine decline. NDVI indicators were linearly correlated to both YAR and mortality rate. This study provides a better understanding and promising tools for early diagnosis of grapevine decline.
Polygonal Dataset for Vehicle Instance Segmentation for Private Surveillance System
Authors: Ottakath Najmath , Al-Maadeed Somaya
Published: January 2023

Vehicle identification is an important task in traffic monitoring because it allows for efficient inference and provides a cause for action. Vehicle classification via deep learning and other approaches such as segmentation is a critical tool for re-identification. In this paper, instance segmentation is used for vehicle make identification with license plate detection, allowing for better unique vehicle recognition for re-identification. An existing dataset is re-annotated and modified for polygonal segmentation of the vehicle’s unique frontal features, resulting in representation of the vehicle with its frontal form learned. In addition, an additional license plate identification class is added for efficient re-identification further down the re-identification and tracking pipeline. Furthermore, an additional class of license plate identification is added for efficient re-identification further down the re-identification and tracking pipeline. The results showed improved classification as well as a high mAP for the dataset when compared to previous approaches based on CNN and deformed CNN. Furthermore, a deep residual network and fully connected layer-based classification were utilized as the backbone for feature representation. Instance segmentation detects objects by segmenting and classifying regions of interest. The imbalance in the dataset is resolved using a mosaic-tiled approach, which produces greater precision than other approaches evaluated for in the paper.
Partial Inhibition of Complex I Restores Mitochondrial Morphology and Mitochondria-ER Communication in Hippocampus of APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Panes Jessica , Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh , Gao Huanyao , Christensen Trace A , Stojakovic Andrea , Trushin Sergey , Salisbury Jeffrey L , Fuentealba Jorge , Trushina Eugenia
Published: January 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has no cure. Earlier, we showed that partial inhibition of mitochondrial complex I (MCI) with small molecule CP2 induces adaptive stress response activating multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. Chronic treatment reduced inflammation, improved synaptic and mitochondrial functions, and blocked neurodegeneration in symptomatic APP/PS1 mice, a translational model of AD. Here, using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBFSEM) and three-dimensional (3D) EM reconstructions combined with Western blot analysis and next-generation RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that CP2 treatment also restores mitochondrial morphology and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communication in the APP/PS1 mouse brain. Using 3D EM volume reconstructions, we show that mitochondria in AD dendrites exist primarily as mitochondria-on-a-string (MOAS). Compared to other morphological phenotypes, MOAS are extensively enveloped in the ER membranes forming multiple mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) known to contribute to abnormal lipid and calcium homeostasis. CP2 treatment specifically reduced MOAS formation, consistent with improved energy homeostasis in the brain, with concomitant reduction in MERCS, ER stress, and improved lipid homeostasis. These data provide novel information on the role MOAS play in AD and additional support for further development of partial MCI inhibitors as disease modifying strategy for AD.
Corrosion Resistance of the Welded Joints From the Ultrafine-Grained Near-α Titanium Alloys Ti-5Al-2V Obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Chuvil’deev V. N. , Nokhrin A. V. , Likhnitskii C. V. , Kopylov V. I. , Andreev P. V. , Boldin M. S. , Tabachkova N. Yu. , Malkin A. I.
Published: January 2023

A diffusion welding of coarse-grained and ultrafine-grained (UFG) specimens of titanium near-α alloy Ti-5Al-2V used in nuclear power engineering was made by Spark Plasma Sintering. The failure of the welded specimens in the conditions of hot salt corrosion and of electrochemical corrosion were shown to have preferentially intercrystalline character. In the case of presence of macrodefects, crevice corrosion of the welded joints was observed. The resistance of the alloys against the intercrystalline corrosion was found to be determined by the concentration of vanadium at the titanium grain boundaries, by the size and volume fraction of the β-phase particles and by the presence of micro- and macropores in the welded joints. The specimens of the welded joints of the UFG alloy have higher hardness, hot salt corrosion resistance and the electrochemical corrosion.
Flexible Working Memory Model in Spiking Neural Network With Two Types of Plasticity
Authors: Kovaleva Natalia S. , Matrosov Valery V. , Mishchenko Mikhail
Published: January 2023

Working memory (WM) is a brain system for short-term storage and manipulation of information and plays an important role in complex cognitive tasks. In the synaptic theory of WM memorized elements are stored in the form of short-term potentiated connections in a sample population of neurons. In this paper, we show that such populations can be formed due to the mechanisms of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) – the phase dependence associated with the ratio of the pulse times of the interacting neurons. We propose a WM model considering two types of plasticity: short-term plasticity and STDP. We have shown formation of neuronal clusters encoding items in the WM model, that can be formed by external stimulation of a group of neurons due to the mechanisms of STDP and hold and reactivated by short-term plasticity mechanisms. The dynamic formation of neuronal clusters instead of pre-formed clusters gives additional flexibility to the model.
The Role of Technology Maturity Level in the Occurrence of University Technology Transfer
Authors: Townes Malcolm
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at understanding how technology maturity level influences the incidence of university technology transfer to the private sector. The study examined the topic from the perspective of private sector organizations. It used data from a random sample of patent applications filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a theoretically guided sampling of multiple cases of private sector organizations that contemplated obtaining and assimilating technologies created at universities in the United States. The patent application data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical techniques and the case data were analyzed using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The findings of the study suggest that the typical maturity level of technologies created at U.S. universities is a TRL-5 or lower on as scale adapted from the NASA technology readiness level (TRL) scale. A technology maturity level of TRL-6 or higher is likely an insufficient but necessary part of at least one unnecessary but sufficient configuration of conditions that tends to result in the occurrence of university technology transfer. However, under certain circumstances, a technology maturity level of at least TRL-6 could be a sufficient but unnecessary condition for the occurrence of university technology transfer. These findings have several important implications. First, they provide support for the notion that university technology transfer is subject to causal complexity. Moreover, it may be possible to increase the incidence of university technology transfer in the United States by implementing public policy and practices that explicitly take technology maturity level into consideration.
How to Learn and How to Teach the Five Content Areas: Programming Languages, Game Design, Computer Thinking, Algorithmic Thinking and Robotics Programming - A Systematic Review of Journal Publications From 2015 to 2020”
Authors: Cvetkovic Dragan , Rastovac Dragan , Viduka Dejan , Basic Ana
Published: January 2023

This study presents review of 7580 papers in 13 academic journals, published from January 2015 to January 2020. After a detailed analysis of all papers, 46 papers were further selected showing research on a student population aged between 6 and 15 years old. In order for the paper to be included in the research, the condition was that the paper deals with teaching at least one of the following content areas: programming languages, game design, computer thinking (CT), algorithmic thinking and robotics programming. This study shows the representation of the listed content area in reviewed papers for the specified time period as well as a detailed analysis of the selected papers. Available data about study, participants and education level, country (first author), learning domain, teaching tools, research questions, hypothesis, pre/post-test results, interviews, control groups, course duration, research design, previous experience, project or grant and re-search purpose in detected papers were analysed. In addition, impact of studying some of the listed content areas on student learning performance, motivation, attitude and perception were investigated.
Analisis Tipe Perilaku Konsumen dalam Membeli Teh Celup
Authors: Setiyani Rahmawati , Fitria Annisa Vini , Asfarida Tiara , Lestari Retna Dewi
Published: January 2023

The basic method used in this research is descriptive. The number of samples selected for analysis was 30 samples. The research technique used is a survey technique, namely research in which data collection takes samples from one population. Sampling was done using a random sampling technique (random sampling) on some tea bags consumers. The data used in this study is primary data. The involvement of consumers in the decision-making process of purchasing tea in Solo Raya is high, meaning that consumers are involved in evaluating the attributes of tea products to make the best decisions in purchasing tea products. These attributes include taste, scent, color, packaging, packaging design, content capacity, price, and distribution of tea products.
Efisiensi Teknis dan Ekonomis Pada Usahatani Padi di Desa Alang-alang Kecamatan Tragah Kabupaten Bangkalan
Authors: Ahdiningtyas Meliana , Maidatatia Al , Fitri Shelian , Uyun Sofiatul , Alwi Fitriyah
Published: January 2023

This study aims to analyze the level of technical, allocative and economic efficiency of farmers in Alang-Alang village towards rice farming, and to determine the factors that affect production efficiency. This research was conducted in Alang-Alang Village, Tragah District, Bangkalan Regency, the determination of this location was carried out purposively or intentionally. The number of respondents used in this study were 40 respondents using the Accidental Sampling technique. Analysis of the data used is in the form of an analysis of the stochastic frontier production function which is estimated by the maximum likelihood (MLE) method using the Frontier 4.1 program. Based on the results of the study, it can be shown that the level of technical efficiency of rice commodities in Alang-Alang Village, Tragah District, Bangkalan Regency is 0,73 (efficient enough), economic efficiency is 0,324 (not efficient), and allocative efficiency is 0,46 (not efficient). Factors or variables that significantly influence and have a positive value on rice production are labor. The source of technical inefficiency that has a significant and negative value is age. So that in maximizing rice production, farmers must increase the number of workers in their farming activities.
 
Kinerja Usahatani Kopi Liberika di Kecamatan Betara Kabupaten Tanjung Jabung Barat
Authors: Amalia Dwi Nurul , Kurniati Yuyun , Wahyuni Ira
Published: January 2023

The research aims to 1) to know the description of liberica coffee farming in Betara District, 2) to analyze the income of liberica coffee farming in Betara District, and 3) to analyze the feasibility level of liberica coffee farming in Betara District. The research was conducted in Betara District, Tanjung Jabung Barat Regency. The data used were primary and secondary data. The sampling technique was simple random sampling. The number of sample farmers was 77 people, with a division of 44 people in Mekar Jawa Village and 33 people in Bunga Tanjung Village. Data analysis used descriptive and quantitative analysis of income and feasibility of liberica coffee farming with R/C ratio and π/C ratio. The results showed 1) the land area owned by liberica coffee farmers in the study area averaged 1,95 Ha. The planting pattern of liberica coffee is made in a mixed farming technique with areca nut. Labor activities in liberica coffee farming include maintenance, harvest, and post-harvest. 2) Average production of 239 Kg/Ha/Year, with total costs of Rp 1.925.874/Ha/Year, the revenue of Rp. 7,170,000/ha/year and income earned of Rp. 5,244,153/ha/year. Liberica coffee income in the study area is still relatively low. This means that Liberika coffee cannot be used as the primary source of income for farmers and can only be an additional source of income. 3) The results of the R / C analysis of the liberica coffee farming ratio of 3.72 and π / C ratio analysis of 272.3% means that it is feasible to cultivate.
Current scenario, services, concerns, and restoration perspectives of ponds in India
Authors: Rajput Sneh , Kumari Arpna , Rajput Vishnu D. , Mandzhieva Saglara S. , Minkina Tatiana , Arora Saroj , Kaur Rajinder
Published: January 2023

Ponds are self-sustaining and self-regulating ecosystems that are a vital part of the hydrological cycle and play a variety of roles in the biosphere. Ponds are diverse, extremely dynamic, and highly productive as they offer various services like harbor biodiversity, tool for combating water scarcity, have roles in pollution mitigation and carbon sequestration. Ponds also offer sustainable solutions to support climate change amelioration and aquatic resource management. However, ponds are the most neglected aquatic ecosystems, despite their huge ecological functions. Thus, ponds are debasing at an alarming rate as a result of increased anthropogenic activities and anthropogenically driven changes in natural processes, wreaking havoc on ecological health and water quality. In this context, the major threats to ponds include the dumping of solid waste, increased urbanization, pollution, encroachment and climate change which have resulted in the deterioration of ponds over the years. Sustainable management and restoration of ponds are crucial as this ecosystem offers a wide array of ecological functions. As a result, this research aims to assess the current state of ponds in India in terms of monitoring, ecological services provided, and the various threats to which they are subjected. Further, the discussions on management and perspective restoration strategies of this substantial ecosystem are also included. Thereby, this study suggests better conservation strategies for restoration, reclamation, and sustainable utilization of ponds.
A Novel Surgical Classification for Extremity and Pelvic Hemophilic Pseudotumors
Authors: Li Ziquan , Xiao Ke , Chang Xiao , Zhou Xi , Bian Yanyan , Zhang Baozhong , Liu Yong , Gao Peng , Feng Bin , Weng Xisheng
Published: January 2023

Background:

A hemophilic pseudotumor (HPT) is a rare and challenging complication of hemophilia for which there is no classification system that provides uniformity of descriptions or that can be used to guide management. We have developed such a classification based on anatomical site, HPT severity, and corresponding surgical treatment.

Methods:

The PUMCH (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) classification was developed on the basis of clinical manifestations and imaging features. Extremity and pelvic HPTs were divided into 4 types and 6 subtypes according to anatomical site and whether or not there was destruction of adjacent bone. Associations between the PUMCH classification and surgical treatment, preoperative comorbidities, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative complication rates were analyzed.

Results:

Forty-five patients with 53 HPTs that were treated at PUMCH between December 2005 and October 2021 were included. The mean age at the time of surgery was 35.4 ± 11.9 years, and the median follow-up duration was 60.3 months. Twenty-eight HPTs were classified as type I (13 IA, 7 IB, 8 IC); 3, as type II; 6, as type III; and 16, as type IV. All 20 type-IA and IB HPTs were treated with excision, and the 3 type-II HPTs were treated with curettage and bone grafting. Fourteen type-IV pelvic HPTs underwent excision, 2 of which needed concomitant pelvic reconstruction. Six type-IC HPTs and 1 type-III HPT underwent excision and osseous reconstruction. Amputation was required for 1 type-IC and 3 type-III HPTs. Type-IC HPTs had the longest mean operative time (194.3 ± 28.2 minutes) and the greatest intraoperative bleeding (2,000 mL [interquartile range, 1,100 to 3,000 mL]). Postoperative infection was more common in patients with type-III (50.0%) and type-IC (28.6%) HPTs, but not significantly so.

Conclusions:

The PUMCH classification is based on the anatomic pathology and surgical strategy for HPTs. The classification of HPTs corresponds to surgical outcomes, and may be helpful for decision-making regarding their surgical treatment.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.