bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Brand NHS
Authors: Reis Ana Maria , Soares Bárbara
Published: December 2020

The brand NHS (SNS Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is a registered brand. In 2015, a new legal regime on health advertising practices was introduced. This regime set a more rigid penalty framework, including pecuniary and ancillary sanctions, applied to the undue use of the brand NHS by private providers and disloyal advertising, protecting the brand's reputation and increasing patients' trust. The objective of this chapter was to discuss the undue use of the brand NHS, in Portugal, by private providers, and its impact on brand reputation. The main conclusions are the cases of health advertising and undue use of the brand NHS have been reduced under the new regime; the sanctions applied after 2015 varied from 500 euros to 1,500 euros, which reveals a small financial impact for providers; this reduction could be justified by the negative impact on the image of the healthcare provider under an administrative offense process.
Big Data Analytics and Its Applications in IoT
Authors: S. G. Shaila , D. S. Bhuvana , L. Monish
Published: December 2020

Big data and the internet of things (IoT) are two major ruling domains in today's world. It is observed that there are 2.5 quintillion bytes of data created each day. Big data defines a very huge amount of data in terms of both structured and unstructured formats. Business intelligence and other application domains that have high information density use big data analytics to make predictions and better decisions to improve the business. Big data analytics is used to analyze a high range of data at a time. In general, big data and IoT were built on different technologies; however, over a period of time, both of them are interlinked to build a better world. Companies are not able to achieve maximum benefit, just because the data produced by the applications are not utilized and analyzed effectively as there is a shortage of big data analysts. For real-time IoT applications, synchronization among hardware, programming, and interfacing is needed to the greater extent. The chapter discusses about IoT and big data, relation between them, importance of big data analytics in IoT applications.
Convergence of AI, ML, and DL for Enabling Smart Intelligence
Authors: Rajendran Revathi , Kalidasan Arthi , B. Chidhambara Rajan
Published: December 2020

The evolution of digital era and improvements in technology have enabled the growth of a number of devices and web applications leading to the unprecedented generation of huge data on a day-to-day basis from many applications such as industrial automation, social networking cites, healthcare units, smart grids, etc. Artificial intelligence acts as a viable solution for the efficient collection and analyses of the heterogeneous data in large volumes with reduced human effort at low time. Machine learning and deep learning subspaces of artificial intelligence are used for the achievement of smart intelligence in machines to make them intelligent based on learning from experience automatically. Machine learning and deep learning have become two of the most trending, groundbreaking technologies that enable autonomous operations and provide decision making support for data processing systems. The chapter investigates the importance of machine learning and deep learning algorithms in instilling intelligence and providing an overview of machine learning, deep learning platforms.
Real-Time Problems to Be Solved by the Combination of IoT, Big Data, and Cloud Technologies
Authors: G. Shaila S. , L. Monish , Patil Rajlaxmi
Published: December 2020

This chapter brings out the perspective outcomes of combining three terminologies: artificial intelligence, cloud, and internet of things. The relation between artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning is also emphasized. Intelligence, which is the capability to attain and apply knowledge in addition to skills, is analysed in the following sections of the chapter along with its categories that include natural intelligence, artificial intelligence, and hybrid intelligence. Analysis of artificial intelligence-based internet of things system is deliberated on two approaches, namely criterion-based analysis and elemental analysis. Criterion-based analysis covers the parameter-based investigation to highlight the relation between machine learning and deep learning. Elemental analysis involves four main components of artificial intelligence-based internet of things system, such as device, data, algorithm, and computation. Research works done using deep learning and internet of things are also discussed.
Biological Neural Circuits as Applications in Business and Engineering as a New Approach in Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Galiautdinov Rinat
Published: December 2020

The chapter describes the new approach in artificial intelligence based on simulated biological neurons and created neural circuits which represent the next generation of computing systems and artificial intelligence for business applications. Unlike existing technical devices for implementing a neuron based on classical nodes oriented to binary processing, the proposed path is based on bit-parallel processing of numerical data (synapses) for obtaining result. The proposed approach of implementation a neuron can serve as a new elementary basis for the construction of neuron-based computers with a higher processing speed of biological information and good survivability. The research demonstrates the developed nervous circuit constructor and its usage in building of the nervous circuits of biological creatures and simulation of their work and how it could be used in the next generation of the computing systems.
SEM
Authors: Akgül Yakup
Published: December 2020

The aim of this chapter is to test the hypothesis that the two-step structural equation modelling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approach enables better in-depth research results as compared to the single-step SEM approach. This approach was used to determine which factors have statistically significant influence on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in online shopping. The purpose of this chapter is to extend the role of e-service quality and e-recovery research which is traditionally based on SEM technique with ANN approach. In the first step of the present research, the SEM technique was used to determine which factors have statistically significant influence on customer satisfaction; in the second step, ANN models were used to rank the relative influence of significant predictors obtained from SEM. The results indicate that effectiveness of information content, hedonic shopping value, information security and confidentiality, responsiveness, and website entertainment have a positive impact on customer satisfaction.
Filter Selection for Speaker Diarization Using Homomorphism
Authors: Naik K. Jairam , Mishra Awani
Published: December 2020

In the current scenario, audio classification and recognition of a particular source of voice is a major challenge when several speakers are speaking at a time. The process of identifying each speaker in an audio segment is called speaker diarization. The major steps involved in speaker diarization are speech detection, speaker change, and speaker merges. Finding and suggesting the best filter is one of the most important task involved in every step of this process. No current researches at present have yet focused on the impact of filter with optimized approaches. In this chapter, a simple yet effective method using homorphism has been implemented to recommend the best filter for any audio classification task for this purpose. After having performed the classification task for a number of commonly used filters, their accuracies have been compared at every step of speaker diarization. In this work, a module using Bayesian information criterion, convolutional neural networks is implemented, and diarization algorithm that performs the task of speaker diarization is proposed.
Artificial Neural Network for Solving the Inventory Control Problem in Fuzzy Environments
Authors: Rahaman Mostafijur , Mondal Sankar Prasad , Alam Shariful
Published: December 2020

In this chapter, different inventory control problems are formulated in fuzzy environment and solved by artificial neural network. Due to present the non-linearity associated with the differential equation in fuzzy environment, the solution procedure may be very complicated. To avoid the situation, artificial neural networks play an important role. In this chapter, different inventory control problems are formulated in fuzzy environment and solved by artificial neural network. Due to present the non-linearity associated with the differential equation in fuzzy environment, the solution procedure may be very complicated. To avoid the situation, artificial neural networks play an important role.
Integrated Kinematic Machining Error Compensation for Impeller Rough Tool Paths Programming in a Step-Nc Format Using Neural Network Approach Prediction
Authors: Ameddah Hacene
Published: December 2020

The most important components used in aerospace, ships, and automobiles are designed with free form surfaces. An impeller is one of the most important components that are difficult to machine because of its twisted blades. This research book is based on the premise that a STEP-NC program can document “generic” manufacturing information for an impeller. This way, a STEP-NC program can be made machine-independent and has an advantage over the conventional G-code-based NC program that is always generated for a specific CNC machine. Rough machining is recognized as the most crucial procedure influencing machining efficiency and is critical for the finishing process. The research work reported in this chapter focuses on introduces a fully STEP-compliant CNC by putting forward an interpolation algorithm for non uniform rational basic spline (NURBS) curve system for rough milling tool paths with an aim to solve the problems of kinematic errors solutions in five axis machine by neural network implementation.
Deep Learning
Authors: Erpolat Taşabat Semra , Aydin Olgun
Published: December 2020

Deep learning (DL) is a rising star of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) domains. Until 2006, many researchers had attempted to build deep neural networks (DNN), but most of them failed. In 2006, it was proven that deep neural networks are one of the most crucial inventions for the 21st century. Nowadays, DNN are being used as a key technology for many different domains: self-driven vehicles, smart cities, security, automated machines. In this chapter, brief information about DL theory is given, advantages and disadvantages of deep learning are discussed, most used types of DNN are mentioned, popular DL architectures and frameworks are glanced and aimed to build smart systems for the finance and real estate domains. Finally, a case study about image recognition using transfer learning is developed.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Estimate Tensile Strength of Austenitic Stainless Steel During Metal Inert Gas Welding Process
Authors: Chaki Sudipto , Bose Dipankar
Published: December 2020

In the present work, artificial neural networks (ANN) have been used to model the complex relationship between input-output parameters of metal inert gas (MIG) welding processes. Four ANN training algorithms such as back propagation neural network (BPNN) with gradient descent momentum (GDM), BPNN with Levenberg Marquardt (LM) algorithm, BPNN with Bayesian regularization (BR), and radial basis function networks (RBFN) method have been used for prediction modelling. An experimentation based on full factorial experimental design has been conducted on MIG welding of austenitic stainless steel of grade-304 where welding current, welding speed, and voltage have been considered as input parameters, and tensile strength has been considered as measurable output parameter. The dataset so constituted is used for ANN modelling. Altogether, 40 different ANN architectures have been trained and tested using the above-mentioned algorithms, and 3-11-1 ANN architecture trained using BPNN with BR has been considered to show best prediction capability with mean % absolute error of 0.354%.
Traffic Analysis Using IoT for Improving Secured Communication
Authors: Vejendla Lakshman Narayana , Naresh Alapati , Arepalli Peda Gopi
Published: December 2020

Internet of things can be simply referred to as internet of entirety, which is the network of things enclosed with software, sensors, electronics that allows them to gather and transmit the data. Because of the various and progressively malevolent assaults on PC systems and frameworks, current security apparatuses are frequently insufficient to determine the issues identified with unlawful clients, unwavering quality, and to give vigorous system security. Late research has demonstrated that in spite of the fact that system security has built up, a significant worry about an expansion in illicit interruptions is as yet happening. Addressing security on every occasion or in every place is a really important and sensitive matter for many users, businesses, governments, and enterprises. In this research work, the authors propose a secret IoT architecture for routing in a network. It aims to locate the malicious users in an IoT routing protocols. The proposed mechanism is compared with the state-of-the-art work and compared results show the proposed work performs well.
Perspectives on Learning and Teaching Science
Authors: de Almeida Maria José , Figueiredo Isabel Vitória , Caramona Maria Margarida
Published: December 2020

Since birth, humans absorb information from what surrounds them. Kindergartens, schools, and universities work as institutions to insert everyone in a culturally similar environment, giving equal educational opportunities to future citizens. These institutions develop human competencies for a society enabled to feed everyone, to sustain healthcare, and to protect the environment. This effort implies educational performances, whose grounds should rely on theories of learning and different modes of teaching. Pharmacy faculties, apart from teaching, reinforcing, and updating the students' knowledge on pharmaceutical sciences, guide students towards respecting different health professionals, aware of their role as educational supporters of patients and families who use pharmacies as the closest advising and health caring places. This is especially important nowadays, with the complexity of some diseases and the rising costs of healthcare. This chapter gives an overview of pharmacy teaching and learning according to the European Association of Faculties of Pharmacy.
Open Innovation
Authors: Rahman Hakikur
Published: December 2020

While talking about successful entrepreneurship and value addition within an enterprise through innovation, one could comprehend that the innovation paradigm has been shifted from simple introduction of new thoughts and products to accumulation of diversified actions, actors, and agents along the process. Furthermore, when the innovation process is not being constrained within the closed nature of it, the process takes many forms during its evolution. Innovations have been seen as closed innovation or open innovation, depending on its nature of action, but contemporary world may have seen many forms of innovation, such as technological innovation, products/service innovation, process/production innovation, operational/management/organizational innovation, business model innovation, or disruptive innovation, though often they are robustly interrelated.
Reading and Collaboration
Authors: Klobucar Andrew , O'Neill Megan
Published: December 2020

The introduction of digital media into university writing courses, while leading to innovative ideas on multimedia as a rhetorical enhancement means, has also resulted in profound changes in writing pedagogy at almost all levels of its theory and practice. Because traditional approaches to examining and discussing assigned texts in the classroom were developed to help students analyze different genres of print-based texts, many university educators find these methods prohibitively deficient when applied to digital reading environments. Even strategies in reading and text annotation need to be reconsidered methodologically in order to manage effectively the ongoing shift from print to digital or electronic media formats within first year composition. The current study proposes one of the first and most extensive attempts to analyze fully how students engage with digital modes of reading to demonstrate if and how students may benefit from reading digital texts using computer-assisted text analysis (CATA) software.
An Evaluation of Measuring the Publicness Level of Interiors in Public Building Design
Authors: Aykutlar Pelin , Kutucu Seçkin , Can-Traunmüller Işın
Published: December 2020

This study examines the publicness level of the interior spaces of public buildings. As a method, VGA (visual graph analysis) is used for analyzing the early design phases of selected municipal service buildings. In this study, the authors utilized from VGA for quantifying the publicness level of the two selected architectural competitions of municipality buildings. The method allows us analyzing the floor plans of each project in obtaining an eventual assessment of permeability and accessibility which give an idea of the levels of publicness comparatively. Subsequently, representation parameters are compared under two main criteria: connectivity and integration. The aim of the study is to understand the level of publicness and efficiency of spatial settings for the users circulating in the public buildings, which have dissimilar plan schemes. This method would be used by the designers for early design stage and provide useful feedback for understanding the level of accessibility and permeability of the structures and adjust their schemes accordingly.
Detection of Landmarks by Mobile Autonomous Robots Based on Estimating the Color Parameters of the Surrounding Area
Authors: Poliarus Oleksandr , Poliakov Yevhen
Published: December 2020

Remote detection of landmarks for navigation of mobile autonomous robots in the absence of GPS is carried out by low-power radars, ultrasonic and laser rangefinders, night vision devices, and also by video cameras. The aim of the chapter is to develop the method for landmarks detection using the color parameters of images. For this purpose, the optimal system of stochastic differential equations was synthesized according to the criterion of the generalized variance minimum, which allows to estimate the color intensity (red, green, blue) using a priori information and current measurements. The analysis of classical and nonparametric methods of landmark detection, as well as the method of optimal estimation of color parameters jumps is carried out. It is shown that high efficiency of landmark detection is achieved by nonparametric estimating the first Hilbert-Huang modes of decomposition of the color parameters distribution.
Efficient Implementations for UWEP Incremental Frequent Itemset Mining Algorithm
Authors: Bicer Mehmet , Indictor Daniel , Yang Ryan , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: December 2020

Association rule mining is a common technique used in discovering interesting frequent patterns in data acquired in various application domains. The search space combinatorically explodes as the size of the data increases. Furthermore, the introduction of new data can invalidate old frequent patterns and introduce new ones. Hence, while finding the association rules efficiently is an important problem, maintaining and updating them is also crucial. Several algorithms have been introduced to find the association rules efficiently. One of them is Apriori. There are also algorithms written to update or maintain the existing association rules. Update with early pruning (UWEP) is one such algorithm. In this paper, the authors propose that in certain conditions it is preferable to use an incremental algorithm as opposed to the classic Apriori algorithm. They also propose new implementation techniques and improvements to the original UWEP paper in an algorithm we call UWEP2. These include the use of memorization and lazy evaluation to reduce scans of the dataset.
How to Effectively Implement Continuous Improvement for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Galli Brian J.
Published: December 2020

Continuous improvement refers to day-to-day activities in an organization to improve its ability to meet customer needs. However, the organization must also consider the environment and create ways to sustain it. When continuous improvement models are enacted, companies with efficient environmental performance and high-sustainability policies create more value to stakeholders and shareholders. Such companies develop a strong competitive advantage because they maintain and attract more employees and customers. Unfortunately, in many cases, organizations focus on corporate responsibilities, some of which exclude environmental issues. As it is revealed in this research, the environment must be sustained so consumers of the manufactured products can enjoy the products in a safe environment. This research focuses on how continuous improvement can be used for environmental sustainability. Apart from highlighting difficulties in using continuous improvement for sustainability, the research presents other approaches and tools to incorporate CI principles into a sustainability program.
The Issue of Logistics and Its Correlation to Economic Growth in Turkey
Authors: Can Berrak Erkumru , Dinç Dilek Temiz , Gökmen Aytaç
Published: December 2020

Logistics is a considerable issue for the development of a state and its economy. Logistics is involved the forward and backward flows of goods and services from the point of production and point of consumption, and it is considerable for the development of the economy of a country. Yet, the aim of this paper is to review the correlation between the logistics sector of the Turkish Republic and its correlation to economic growth by employing Augmented Dickey Fuller-ADF, Phillips-Perron (PP), Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt, Shin (KPSS), Elliott, Rothenberg and Stock Point Optimal, and Ng-Perron unit root tests. As a result, there is a bidirectional positive causality between logistics sector and economic growth in the long-term, but there is no causality for short term. Moreover, the novelty of this paper is that it is the most up-to-date study to research logistics and its correlation to economics in Turkey.
Role of Microfinance for Entrepreneurial Success
Authors: Dzingirai Mufaro , Baporikar Neeta
Published: December 2020

The main objective of the paper is to analyze the influence of microfinance on entrepreneurial success of Zimbabwean SMEs. Adopting explanatory research design with a sample that constitutes 120 business owners of SMEs in Gweru district data collection was through questionnaire administering that used Likert scale-type questions. The hypotheses are analyzed using Spearman's correlation and regression analysis in order to empirically establish the influence of microfinance on entrepreneurial success. The main regression results show a strong positive relationship between microfinance and entrepreneurial success, a weak negative relationship between the business owner's age and entrepreneurial success, and a positive relationship between the level of studies and entrepreneurial success of Zimbabwean SMEs.
Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Current Perspectives for Future Sustainability
Authors: Egodawatta W. C. P.
Published: December 2020

No abstract available
Household Level Paddy Storage and Insect Infestation of Paddy, Maize and Mungbean in Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka
Authors: Kumari J. M. P. , Wijayaratne L. K. W. , Jayawardena N. W. I. A. , Egodawatta W. C. P.
Published: December 2020

The augmented losses occur during the storage of grains but details on such information is minimum under Sri Lankan conditions. Unawareness of relevant and updated information on these losses prevents the adoption of appropriate remedial measures for the protection of these stored grains. Therefore, the current study was conducted in Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka to determine the types of household-level storage structures/places used, grain losses occurred in those structures/places and nature of insect infestation of stored paddy, maize and mungbean. A questionnaire survey was conducted throughout Anuradhapura district using farmer families. Four main structures/places used in grain storage in different divisional secretariats were identified. The storage structures/places used from the highest to lowest frequency were room inside house, kitchen, room outside the house and temporary hut. Sitophilus oryzae was the most abundant stored pest followed by Sitotroga cerealella, Tribolium castaneum and Rhyzopertha dominica. The structures/places of grain storage and abundance of insect species were different among divisional secretariats. This study discloses the structures/places of grain storage, their frequency of use as well as the main insect species responsible for grain losses in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka.
Tres problemáticas de la inmigración china en el norte de Chile
Authors: González Pizarro José Antonio , Llanos Reyes Claudio , Lufin Varas Marcelo
Published: December 2020

Este artículo examina la presencia china en Chile durante el periodo 1880-1930, principalmente en las regiones de Antofagasta y Tarapacá. Se analizan tres componentes de la presencia china, incorporada a la sociedad regional nortina: qué se entiende por culíes y si es pertinente denominar culíes a la inmigración china anterior a 1884; de qué manera las enseñanzas del confucianismo constituyeron una orientación ética y espiritual en las colonias chinas y, por último, qué papel jugó el opio como signo de la cultura ancestral o significó una señal negativa ante la propia colonia y la sociedad nortina.
Descolonización de la frontera de Brasil con Paraguay: los guaraníes y kaiowá transfronterizos y las multitransterritorialidades de la lucha por el tekoha
Authors: Mondardo Marcos
Published: December 2020

En este artículo se analiza el tema de la lucha por el tekoha de los guaraníes y los kaiowá, desde una perspectiva geográfica, en el movimiento de descolonización de la frontera de Brasil con Paraguay. La metodología de la investigación se esbozó mediante el método cualitativo y cuantitativo. Además de la elección de los conceptos nativos, se utilizó la encuesta bibliográfica y se desarrolló un trabajo de campo. La multitransterritorialidad es una práctica de desplazamiento territorial que articula redes de relaciones políticas, económicas y étnicas, que permite a los grupos guaraníes luchar por la demarcación del tekoha a ambos lados de la frontera, que propicia un tránsito efectivo entre territorios y activa múltiples territorialidades indígenas.
Las políticas migratorias en México ante el cambio de gobierno (2018-2024)
Authors: García Zamora Rodolfo , Gaspar Olvera Selene , García Macías Pascual
Published: December 2020

En las últimas cuatro décadas, la migración internacional de mexicanos a Estados Unidos se convirtió en una válvula de escape a los problemas económicos, sin que el Gobierno mexicano manifestase preocupación por el diseño de políticas públicas de desarrollo económico, migración y derechos humanos que incidan en las causas estructurales de los flujos migratorios. Las políticas sobre migración fueron parciales, reactivas y tardías, y forman parte de las políticas de seguridad del Estado mexicano. Estas no consideraron la causa estructural de las mismas, ni los derechos humanos de todos los migrantes que salían, llegaban, pasaban y retornaban a México. Ante este panorama, el nuevo Gobierno mexicano enfrenta el doble reto de construir y aplicar una nueva estrategia de desarrollo nacional, soberana, con empleo, equidad y seguridad humana para todos y, al mismo tiempo, la necesidad de incluir una política de Estado que involucre el desarrollo integral, la migración y los derechos humanos, la cual contemple las siete dimensiones migratorias del país como espacio de origen, tránsito, destino, retorno, desplazamientos, asilo y refugio. Asimismo, que integre la migración proveniente de Centroamérica como parte importante de la misma, en razón de la trascendencia creciente que tiene ya en varias de esas dimensiones en los diferentes flujos poblacionales del país.
Severe lactic acidosis from acute cyanide poisoning after intentional amygdalin ingestion in a teenager
Authors: Green Jack
Published: December 2020

Cyanide poisoning via the oral route is a remarkably rare entity in the United States. Though acute toxicity from this poison may present with classic signs and symptoms (smell of bitter almonds on breath and cherry-red skin), these signs are frequently not clinically observed in the intoxicated patient, making it low on the routine differential diagnosis leading to both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for the bedside clinician. This is a case of a 17-yearold male with a history of depression who presented to the Emergency Room (ER) with altered mental status, abdominal pain, and emesis. A severely elevated and worrisome lactic acidosis triggered the ER’s septic shock bundle and algorithm, but further investigation ultimately led to the unifying diagnosis of intentional cyanide poisoning.
A simple tool to help ruling-out Covid-19 in the emergency department: derivation and validation of the LDH-CRP-Lymphocyte (LCL) score
Authors: Giamello Jacopo Davide , Paglietta Giulia , Cavalot Giulia , Allione Attilio , Abram Sara , Dutto Luca , Bernardi Sara , Bernardi Emanuele , Tosello Francesco , Lauria Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

After the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of SARSCoV- 2 infections may gradually decrease in the next months. Given the reduced prevalence of the disease, Emergency Departments (ED) are starting to receive more and more non- Covid19 patients. Thus, a way to quickly discriminate ED patients with potential Covid-19 infection from non-Covid19 patients is needed in order to keep potentially contagious patients isolated while awaiting second-level testing. In this paper, we present the derivation and validation of a simple, practical, and cheap score that could be helpful to rule out Covid-19 among ED patients with suspicious symptoms (fever and/or dyspnoea). The LCL score was derived from a cohort of 335 patients coming to the ED of our hospital from March 16th to April 1st, 2020. It was then retrospectively validated in a similar cohort of 173 patients admitted to our ED during April. The score is based on blood values of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and lymphocyte count. The LCL score performed well both in the derivation and in the validation cohort, with an AUC respectively of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.77 – 0.86) and of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63 – 0.78), given the difference in Covid- 19 prevalence between the two cohorts (57% vs 41% respectively). An LCL score equal to 0 had a negative predictive value of 0.92 in the derivation cohort and of 0.81 in the validation cohort, with a negative likelihood ratio respectively of 0.08 and 0.36 for Covid- 19 exclusion. This score could, therefore, constitute a useful tool to help physicians manage patients in the ED.
COVID-19 treatment in the older people: a brief clinical review
Authors: Cenderello Giovanni , Dini Simone , Ziliani Serena , Casuccio Crocefissa Fiorella , Mori Ubaldini Francesca
Published: December 2020

This paper summarizes the latest data about the treatment options available for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), paying special attention to the older patients. This review explored both trials that have included older patients and some clinically relevant drug-drug interactions. The data have been updated to 31st October, 2020. In particular, details have been reported about the use of antivirals, heparin, steroid and hyperimmune plasma.
Massive pulmonary embolism masked as an episode of acute agitation in a psychiatric patient: a case report
Authors: Cioni Gabriele , Betti Giacomo , Vergara Antonio
Published: December 2020

Management of the psychiatric diseases’ reacutization is a frequent occurrence in emergency medicine. During this coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a further increase in access to the emergency room was reported, and the reasons are numerous. Although the essential prerogative of the emergency department is to provide immediate clinical assistance by rapidly setting an effective diagnostic and therapeutic path, there are multiple obstacles to providing adequate care for Emergency Department patients with mental illness. In this report, we describe the case of a 65-year-old female patient with severe schizophrenia who was evaluated in the emergency room for acute agitation masking subtle, persistent dyspnea. The possibility of an underlying medical cause should not be underestimated or completely forgotten due to the difficult approach to the psychiatric patient.
Morphology, development and reproduction of Atractomorpha acutipennis (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)
Authors: Kekeunou Sévilor , Mbadjoun-Nziké Marcelle , Wandji Alain Christel , Soh-Baleba Steve Bernard , Djomnang-Nkwala Alfiery Laurel , Simeu-Noutchom Alain , Oumarou-Ngoute Charly , Um-Nyobe Philene Corine Aude , Guiadem-Simo Linda Gaelle , Akono Patrick Ntonga
Published: December 2020

For a better knowledge of Atractomorpha acutipennis bio-ecology and to facilitate its identification, we studied the morphology, development and reproduction of this grasshopper on Manihot esculenta under laboratory conditions. Five hundred and fifty-one first nymphal stages obtained in the laboratory were reared in cages. Some body parts allowed a clear identification of different nymphal instars. Post-embryonic development passed through six stages (males) and seven stages (females). Mean nymphal development time was 17.14 ± 0.62, 12.91 ± 0.62, 13.45 ± 0.69, 13.80 ± 0.68, 15.23 ± 0.55 days respectively in males nymphal instars 1 to 5 and 16.18 ± 0.54, 13.13 ± 0.59, 12.49 ± 0.42, 13.19 ± 0.58, 14.58 ± 0.61, 16.57 ± 0.68 days respectively, in females nymphal instars 1 to 6. Adult females deposited an average of 3.67 ± 2 egg pods each comprising 30.77 ± 10.5 eggs. First mating was observed 18 ± 15.42 days after the last moult. Oviposition occured on average 19.33± 5.33 days after the first mating. This study provides important information about the biology of A. acutipennis, which could help in developing control methods against this grasshopper in southern Cameroon.
Protective and therapeutic effects of ethanolic extract of Nasturtium officinale (watercress) and vitamin E against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats
Authors: Ramezani Sanaz , Javadi Iraj , Kokhdan Esmaeel Panahi , Omidifar Navid , Nikbakht Jafar , Sadeghi Heibatollah , Doustimotlagh Amir Hossein , Danaei Nazanin , Abbasi Reza , Sadeghi Hossein
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose:

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic disease of the lungs caused by inflammation, species of reactive oxygen, and immune defects. Antioxidant properties of Nasturtium officinale has been reported in some studies. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Nasturtium officinale (EENO) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats.

Experimental approach:

Forty adult male Wistar rats (180-220 g) were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups. Normal control, BLM control received a single dose of BLM (6 IU/kg) intratracheally only on the first day, EENO + BLM group received EENO (500 mg/kg) one week before intratracheal BLM instillation and two weeks afterward, BLM + EENO group and BML + vitamin E group received EENO (500 mg/kg) and vitamin E (500 mg/kg) half-hour after BLM installation, respectively. The animals were sacrificed on day 22. Change in body weight, lung index, serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolite, lung tissue hydroxyproline content and lung pathology were assessed.

Findings/Results:

Pre- or post-treatment with EENO attenuated pulmonary fibrosis as evidenced by normalized lung index, improved histological changes and inhibited collagen deposition (hydroxyproline) in the animal lung. EENO also decreased MDA and NO metabolite release in comparison to the BLM control. vitamin E (500 mg/ kg) also significantly inhibited the BLM-induced lung toxicity.

Conclusions and implications:

EENO can prevent BLM-induced lung fibrosis in rats via antioxidant activities. However, more studies are needed to elicit the exact mechanism of this effect.
Immunohistochemical Expression of CD200 in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: El Hanbuli Hala M. , Ibrahim Heba A. , Soliman Somia A M
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives:

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant renal neoplasm in adults. CD200 is a transmembrane protein and is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. The aim of this study is to assess the CD200 expression in RCC.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty paraffin-embedded radical nephrectomy specimens, diagnosed with RCC were evaluated immunohistochemically for CD200 expression.

Results:

Out of eighty cases studied, CD200 was expressed in n = 73 cases (91.25%) with high intensity in 27 cases (33.75%), moderate intensity in 22 cases (27.5%), and mild intensity in 24 cases (30%). No staining was observed in the adjacent apparently normal renal tissue in all examined sections. No significant relationship was found between CD200 expression and the gender, tumor size, tumor side, histologic type, nuclear grade, T stage, and tumor necrosis.

Conclusion:

CD200 expression in most of the studied cases of RCC may refer to the potential therapeutic of anti-CD200 antibody for this cancer.
Investigation of Parameters That Affect the Acquired Near Infrared Diffuse Reflected Signals in Non-Destructive Soluble Solids Content Prediction
Authors: Chia Kim Seng , Hong Fan Wei
Published: December 2020

Near infrared spectroscopy is a susceptible technique which can be affected by various factors including the surface of samples. According to the Lambertian reflection, the uneven and matte surface of fruits will provide Lambertian light or diffuse reflectance where the light enters the sample tissues and that uniformly reflects out in all orientations. Bunch of researches were carried out using near infrared diffuse reflection mode in non-destructive soluble solids content (SSC) prediction whereas fewer of them studying about the geometrical effects of uneven surface of samples. Thus, this study aims to investigate the parameters that affect the near infrared diffuse reflection signals in non-destructive SSC prediction using intact pineapples. The relationship among the reflectance intensity, measurement positions, and the SSC value was studied. Next, three independent artificial neural networks were separately trained to investigate the geometrical effects on three different measurement positions. Results show that the concave surface of top and bottom parts of pineapples would affect the reflectance of light and consequently deteriorate the predictive model performance. The predictive model of middle part of pineapples achieved the best performance, i.e. root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and correlation coefficient of prediction (Rp) of 1.2104 °Brix and 0.7301 respectively.
Vocabulary of L1 and L2 Graduation Theses Written by English Philology Students: Academic Writing of Montenegrin and US Students Compared
Authors: Vuković Stamatović Milica , Bratić Vesna , Lakić Igor
Published: December 2020

The paper explores the lexical profile of graduation theses written by the students at the University of Montenegro and compares it against that of BA theses authored by native speakers of American English. We study their lexical level (LFP method), lexical variation (sTTR method), and share of academic vocabulary according to the New Academic Word List (Browne, Culligan and Philliphs). We depart from the assumption that L2 academic writing is less complex vocabulary-wise and aim to determine how different it is and where the lexical differences may lie, so that pedagogical recommendations can be made. The results show that the Montenegrin theses are readable at 4,000 words, which means that B2 learners (according to CEFR) can read them at a reasonable level. In contrast, the theses written by native speakers can be read at 7,000 words, i.e. only by those commanding good C levels. As this is in line with our expectations, we conclude that the Montenegrin theses display a sufficient vocabulary size. Since the students still underuse academic vocabulary, we recommend that more emphasis should be placed on it in the course of their studies.
Categories, Root Complexes and Default Stress
Authors: Simonović Marko
Published: December 2020

A new account is presented of stress assignment in deadjectival and deverbal nominalizations in Slovenian, explicitly addressing both regular cases and exceptions. The analysis is an extension of the account by Marvin (2003) and is couched in the model developed by Lowenstamm (2014), which views derivational affixes as transitive roots. The main addition to Lowenstamm’s model is the proposal that parts of the structure which only contain roots with no intermediate functional structure (the ‘radical cores’) always receive default prosody. The presented analysis dispenses with lexical stress in Slovenian affixes and derives the prosodic properties of affixed words solely from their structure.
Finiteness in South Slavic Complement Clauses
Authors: Wurmbrand Susanne , Kovač Iva , Lohninger Magdalena , Pajančič Caroline , Todorović Neda
Published: December 2020

This paper shows that the distribution of (non‑)finiteness in the South Slavic languages reflects an implicational scale along an independently attested semantic complementation hierarchy (e.g., Givón 1980). We suggest that in the South Slavic languages, finiteness is triggered by clausal agreement features associated with different syntactic heads. Building on a complexity approach to the complementation hierarchy, we propose that cross-linguistic variation in finiteness and variation across different types of complements are the result of language-specific differences in the distribution of agreement features. More broadly, we conclude that there is no (universal) semantic correlate of (non‑)finiteness and, contra cartographic approaches, that finiteness is not confined to a particular domain in the clause. Following Adger (2007), we argue that finiteness can be distributed over all clausal domains.
Deverbal nouns in -ie and their variation across the South Slavic area
Authors: Arsenijević Boban
Published: December 2020

The paper proposes an analysis of the correlation between the semantic and prosodic properties of the suffix -ie and of its variation across the South Slavic languages. Empirical facts about the suffix are outlined, and previous analyses are presented and confronted with empirical and theoretical problems. A slight modification of the analysis of Arsenijević (2010) and Simonović and Arsenijević (2014) enables its combination with the model from Simonović (2019, 2020). The combined analysis neatly accounts for the facts. A model of the variation in the behaviour of the suffix across South Slavic languages is formulated in terms of the modified analysis.
Las competencias de los docentes de ELE en Croacia
Authors: Jelić Andrea-Beata , Blažević Ana Gabrijela
Published: December 2020

El contexto laboral contemporáneo requiere que los profesionales posean habilidades complejas que se manifiestan en forma de diversas competencias clave. En el campo de la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras, existen varios marcos de referencia (Kelly et al. 2000; Borg 2006; Newby et al. 2007; Instituto Cervantes 2012) que definen una serie de competencias genéricas y específicas importantes para la profesión docente. Es por eso que ya la formación docente inicial debería asentarse en un enfoque basado en competencias (Vizek Vidović 2009). Este artículo presenta una reflexión sobre las competencias de los docentes de ELE en Croacia desde tres perspectivas: a) la curricular, b) la estudiantil y c) la profesional, cuyo análisis ha revelado ciertas discrepancias. Aunque el currículo incluye casi todas las competencias reconocidas por los marcos referenciales, se notó una alta presencia implícita de las competencias cuya adquisición durante los estudios no fue reconocida por parte de los estudiantes. Por otro lado, estudiantes y profesionales en gran medida coinciden en cuanto a la valoración de la importancia de las diversas competencias, pero su nivel de adquisición durante los estudios es inferior a su percibida importancia. Eso en parte concuerda con la concepción de la formación inicial como el primer escalón en la formación profesional, pero a su vez abre puertas a propuestas de mejoras de la formación inicial de los docentes de ELE en Croacia.
Weitblick: Das Große Panorama: Kurs- und Übungsbuch B1+
Authors: Leskovec Mojca
Published: December 2020

Učno gradivo za nemščino kot tuji jezik Weitblick B1+ poleg pregledanega učbenika in delovnega zvezka obsega še aplikacije za učenje, avdioposnetke za prenos in kot zgoščenko ter digitalni in tiskani učiteljski priročnik. Dodatno gradivo ponujata tudi spletna stran http://www.cornelsen.de/codes in platforma Scook https://www.scook.de/, kjer je prav tako na voljo učbenik v e-obliki.
Weitblick: Das Große Panorama: Kurs- und Übungsbuch B2.1
Authors: Leskovec Mojca
Published: December 2020

Učno gradivo za nemščino kot tuji jezik Weitblick B2.1 poleg pregledanega učbenika in delovnega zvezka obsega še aplikacije za učenje, avdioposnetke za prenos in kot zgoščenko ter digitalni in tiskani učiteljski priročnik. Dodatno gradivo ponujata tudi spletna stran http://www.cornelsen.de/codes in platforma Scook https://www.scook.de/, kjer je prav tako na voljo učbenik v e-obliki.
Les dérivés du nom propre Trump dans le contexte de la crise sanitaire
Authors: Nekudová Veronika
Published: December 2020

L’article se penche sur les néologismes dérivés du nom propre « Trump » d’un point de vue morphologique et sémantique. Nos observations morphologiques sont accompagnées de courts extraits journalistiques commentés avec un accent mis sur l’activité sémique des néologismes.

Organisé en deux parties, l’article relève quelques exemples de ce phénomène récent : d’abord, nous nous focalisons sur l’adjectif « trumpien » dont le suffixe très productif -ien forme non seulement les adjectifs relationnels mais également qualificatifs. En d’autres termes, des sèmes supplémentaires s’adjoignent au dérivé du nom propre du président américain et ainsi cisèlent la définition du « trumpisme », le deuxième exemple décrit dans l’article. Les nombreuses occurrences du dérivé permettent délimiter le contenu sémantique de ce néologisme, entre autres, par l’opposition ou mise en parallèle avec d’autres -ismes dont « macronisme » est sans doute le plus fréquent.

Ce lien établi entre le « trumpisme » et le « macronisme » ne cesse d’être actualisé en contexte : il s’intensifie même en cette période de crise du coronavirus. Nous pourrions supposer qu’un sujet aussi brûlant qu’une pandémie mondiale ne laisse pas de place pour la politique dans les médias : au contraire, la crise sanitaire a plutôt augmenté la création lexicale dans ce domaine en employant des éléments liés à la pandémie, tels que -virus, -pandémie ou corona-. L’expansion du coronavirus ainsi devient une métaphore de l’expansion d’une idéologie politique spécifique, en l’occurrence la politique de Donald Trump mise en opposition (ou en parallèle) avec l’idéologie supposée d’Emmanuel Macron.