bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O Caso das Comunidades Quilombolas de Alcântara vs. Brasil
Authors: Jorge Igor Siuves
Published: August 2024

The present study will address the Case of the Maroons’s Communities of Alcântara vs. Brazil, which was submitted to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court H.R.) in 2022, after Brazil failed to comply with the recommendations made by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR). In this analysis, it will be important to mention how the construction of the Alcântara Launch Center took place, which involved the removal of several families and the continuous violation of human rights, which has lasted for several decades. Likewise, attempts to hand over the launch base to international exploration will be addressed, prioritizing agreements that are not beneficial to Brazil. The analysis of the case will demonstrate that the treatment given to the Alcântara’s maroons is a picture of the treatment given to all populations that are dispossessed for different reasons, being displaced, deprived of their properties and their rights violated in multiple ways. The analysis will point the need for greater protection for all citizens facing an expropriation process.
Elements of Change Series: Planning for the U.S. National Assessment of the Consequences of Climate Change
Authors: Katzenberger John ,   Aspen Global Change Institute, Hassol Susan Joy
Published: August 2024

The U.S. Global Change Research Program Act of 1990 requires the U.S. government to do periodic climate impact assessments of the United States. This Elements of Change report serves as a guide to help outline the content and approach taken for this important assessment. The content of this report reflects the discussions that took place at a 1997 AGCI meeting among federal agency representatives, university academics, and others. During the meeting, participants explored the critical scientific issues relating to the assessment and drafted a plan for its completion.
PERSETUJUAN TINDAKAN MEDIK (INFORMED CONSENT) SEBAGAI PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM DOKTER DAN TENAGA KESEHATAN DALAM PELAYANAN KESEHATAN DARI PERSPEKTIF HUKUM PIDANA
Authors: Nurzanah Ita , Borman M. Syahrul , Handayati Nur
Published: August 2024

Pelayanan kesehatan adalah upaya untuk melindungi dan meningkatkan kesehatan masyarakat serta mencegah dan mengobati penyakit. Berdasarkan undang-undang dasar negara, seluruh masyarakat Indonesia memiliki hak yang sama atas layanan kesehatan yang aman, berkualitas, dan terjangkau. Meninjau dan memahami pentingnya informed consent untuk prosedur medis serta mengkaji dan memahami informed consent sebagai perlindungan hukum bagi dokter dan tenaga kesehatan dalam pelayanan kesehatan yang diberikan oleh undang-undang, Manfaat penelitian ini adalah dapat memberikan pedoman dan digunakan untuk menyelesaikan berbagai permasalahan hukum yang terjadi di masyarakat. Kami juga berharap melalui penelitian ini dapat memberikan saran dan rekomendasi kepada pemerintah, masyarakat, dunia pendidikan, tenaga hukum, dan khususnya pihak-pihak yang berkepentingan dengan kesehatan lingkungan.
Determining the Fractal Dimension of Crumpled Paper using Chi-Squared Data Analysis and Model Testing
Authors: Hui Larry
Published: August 2024

Most real objects in the natural world are fractals (i.e., non-smooth). Fractal dimensions are non-integer and therefore, by example, may lie between that of a plane (two-dimensional) and a solid object (three-dimensional). Determining the dimension of fractal objects can help describe objects for which suitable geometric representations may be unavailable. The purpose of this study is to determine the fractal dimension of crumpled paper using chi-squared data analysis and model testing. This offers several improvements over linear regression including better parameter estimation, better estimation of parameter uncertainties and model testing. Crumpled paper does not fully occupy the space it is embedded in, so its fractal dimension is estimated to be between that of a plane and a solid sphere (i.e., between 2 and 3). Data were obtained from photographs of crumpled paper of various masses as the independent variable and the diameter of each crumpled ball was repeatedly measured for the dependent variable. Chisquared data analysis of a two-parameter linear model gave a best-fit slope estimate of the fractal dimension as 2.17, and chi-squared model testing showed that the model should not be rejected.
The Economics and Political Constraints of a Green Jobs Guarantee
Authors: Xu Valerie
Published: August 2024

Fossil fuel consumption has exacerbated the effects of climate change, and despite these imminent dangers to the environment, the US economy still remains immensely dependent on fossil fuels and other pollutants as a main source for energy because of the high production cost and lack of labor among the renewable energy sector. To solve this economic problem, the US Federal Government has drafted the Green New Deal, which includes a Federal Jobs Guarantee (FJG) mostly directed towards the renewable energy industry. This job guarantee would seek to give temporary employment support while also generating labor towards renewable energy production.

In this paper, I will first outline the economic obstacles that currently prevent renewable energy from being America’s main energy source before introducing what the design and implementation of a FJG program would look like. I will then address the political constraints, rooted in campaign contributions and lobbying from fossil fuel corporations, which prevents an FJG from being politically feasible. Lastly, to address the political constraints, I will propose an updated version of the current FJG program that might be more politically viable.
Combatting Sexual Harassment: The Transformational Impact of the MeToo Movement and Its Future Potential
Authors: O’Sullivan Megan
Published: August 2024

The MeToo movement was created in 2006, but its massive popularity in 2017 led it to shift away from its original focus. Originally, Tarana Burke, a social worker, created the MeToo movement to create a safe space for survivors of sexual harassment to share their stories and listen to similar experiences while also focusing on changing the American culture which perpetuates the issue. The original goals addressed the ways in which a person’s identities could change their experiences and understood that more vulnerable people in society are more likely to be sexually harassed. As the MeToo movement gained popularity in 2017, it shifted to focus much more on the individual cases of sexual harassment of public figures rather than on the prevailing issue as a whole. The movement lost much of its intersectionality and failed to address the ways in which American culture perpetuates sexual harassment and how people could effectively change it. In order to truly address sexual harassment, activists need to reexamine the original foundation of the movement and create goals and programs which combine those ideas with the current movement.
Psychosocial Stress and its Correlation With Coronary Heart Diseases
Authors: Zhao Stephanie
Published: August 2024

Times are becoming increasingly stressful, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. This article examines the relationship between stress and cardiovascular diseases. We will look into the different theories of stress, including the LifeEvents Theory, the Hardiness Theory, and the Social-Support theory. There are also a handful of different types of stressors and how these stressors might have direct and indirect effects on cardiac health. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and smoking all seem to play the most crucial role when it comes to coronary heart disease (CHD). Although seen as the villain, stress is not all harmful. “Eustress” is a term coined for stress that is actually beneficial to the human body. Regardless, stress is a major issue derived from work, school, and a fastpaced society, leading management methods to be more crucial than ever. One can choose from a plethora of coping mechanisms including exercise, yoga, dietary changes, medications, and relaxation techniques.
DDoS Analysis and Detection with Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Tu Tiffany
Published: August 2024

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where compromised systems are used to f lood a target with an overwhelming amount of traffic, pose a significant threat to the availability and security of digital networks. As these attacks continue to evolve in sophistication and scale, there is a pressing need to develop effective DDoS detection techniques to mitigate their impact. Utilizing a dataset of benign and dangerous (DDoS) network flows, this research paper evaluates and compares various machine learning techniques for the detection of DDoS attacks to identify the most accurate methodologies to contribute to the security of networked digital infrastructure. The study conducts feature deduction and variable transformation on the dataset and subsequently build and trains multiple different machine learning models. The findings of this research quantify the effectiveness of each machine learning method tested in identifying DDoS attacks. Random Forest (99.24%) performed the best in terms of detection accuracy. Decision Tree was also accurate (98.68%) in detecting DDoS flows, and Logistic Regression was the least precise (71.81%). These results exhibit the importance of selecting appropriate machine learning models to enhance the resilience of network security systems from DDoS attacks. Furthermore, the research underscores the need for further exploration using additional machine learning models to develop more effective and robust detection strategies. Ultimately, the outcomes of this paper contribute to the efforts to detect DDoS attacks and enhance the overall security posture of digital environments.
Repairing the Public Health Crisis in Venezuela
Authors: Catalano Vanessa
Published: August 2024

Venezuela is struggling with a multifaceted crisis encompassing political, environmental, economic, and health issues. The healthcare system in Venezuela, known as Barrio Adentro, is in decline, leading to the deterioration of the health and well-being of its citizens. These harmful causes include low immunization rates, water contamination, and the effects of droughts, in addition to the corruption of their government. Following these root issues, this paper explores these challenges in Venezuela’s healthcare system and proposes solutions aimed at improving public health in Venezuela. These proposals include the introduction of a water and food stamp program, the allocation of a reserved amount of clean water for hospitals, increased transparency in government spending, the mass production of drought-resistant crops, water recycling initiatives, and the expansion of filtration systems. The degradation of Venezuela’s healthcare system is alarming, and the responsibility for implementing positive change rests upon the global community. The solutions in this paper serve as a foundation for revitalizing the healthcare system and emphasize the urgent need for intervention and reform. Ultimately, these efforts will promote and lead to better health and quality of life for Venezuelan citizens.
Reciprocity Between Music and the Emotional State
Authors: Wang Karen
Published: August 2024

Music and the emotional state are two concepts that are commonly associated with each other, and many studies have been conducted about their relationship. Some have discovered how listening to music activates parts of the brain that control the emotional state, such as the limbic system. Others have explored how the emotional state may influence the music that someone chooses to listen to. As a literature review, this paper takes studies from those areas to highlight the reciprocal relationship between music and the emotional state. This paper presents findings on the physiological mechanisms of music-evoked emotions, as well as how music serves as a selfregulatory tool for emotions. These findings provide greater clarity about the connection between music and emotions, which can help lead to more effective forms of behavioral management and music therapy. Future research can look more specifically into how one emotion is related to music listening, or how one genre of music is related to the emotional state.
Emission Line-Independent Method to Classify Seyfert Galaxies
Authors: Rebello Andrew , Mula Neerav , Burugu Vineet
Published: August 2024

This study aims to classify Seyfert Type 1 and Seyfert Type 2 galaxies by differences other than the ratio of the strengths of their emission lines, which may allow researchers to discover something new about them that could not be discovered from spectral lines alone. We made use of 43,029 Seyferts from SIMBAD and used Python to analyze 5 properties of each galaxy: spatial distribution, redshift, color-magnitude, morphology, and luminosity. Analysis was done via inspection of graphs and descriptive statistics. Significant differences were found in luminosity, redshift, and color-magnitude. Based on these differences, we trained Decision Tree and Random Forest models to classify a given set of Seyferts as Sy1 and Sy2. The classification was accurate for 76.5% and 78.8% of the testing set for the respective models. Based on our f indings, it can be concluded that our model could provide information about Seyfert properties independent of their emission lines.
Changes in the Brain During Menopause: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Li Youlan
Published: August 2024

Menopause is a natural physiological transition marked by fluctuations in hormone levels in the body, resulting from a decline in ovarian function and eventual ovulation cessation, not a complete halt in ovarian production, which is closely tied to menstruation (World Health Organization, 2022). Not only is it a physiological change, but it’s also considered a neurological change, as indicated by key symptoms that appear, such as cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, and altered mood (Thomas, 2021). These symptoms are all related to lobes and regions in the brain. In previous years, there has been various in-depth scientific research into menopause and changes in the brain, which has provided valuable insights for this review article. The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between menopause and neurological changes, emphasizing the impact of hormonal fluctuations on cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, and mood alterations, and providing a foundation for holistic interventions that prioritize women’s well-being during this natural life transition.
Kavain Hydroxylation in Kava Metabolism: Computational Analysis
Authors: Feng Youlin
Published: August 2024

Kava, a non-alcoholic beverage derived from the Piper methysticum plant, commonly also known as kava, has a prominent role in the cultures of Oceania due to its calming and soothing effects. These psychoactive properties have sparked interest beyond Oceania and in the scientific community, who see potential for medicinal applications. However, alongside these beneficial effects, consumption of kava has been linked to potential hepatotoxicity, raising safety concerns. Understanding the cause of this hepatotoxicity requires a detailed exploration of kava’s metabolic processes, specifically those involving kavain, its primary constituent. Recent studies have found the hydroxylation of kavain to 12-hydroxykavain as a key step in kava’s metabolic pathway. Yet, the precise mechanism of this conversion and the hydroxylation intermediates involved remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, our study employed Spartan, a computational chemistry software, to model the hydroxylation process. We analyzed the stability and chemical properties of the proposed reaction intermediates, providing a detailed view of this critical phase of metabolism. Our analysis reveals that three of the five proposed intermediates appear stable, suggesting they may play significant roles in the hydroxylation process. This finding also enabled us to narrow down the possible reaction pathways of hydroxylation. Having a better understanding of the key step of kava metabolism could guide the development of safer, more effective kava-based products, balancing the therapeutic potential of kava with a reduced risk profile.
Guo Moruo’s The Nirvana of the Feng and Huang (1921) as a Chinese modernist poem that reinvigorates traditional myths and legends
Authors: Luan Jiayi (Angeline)
Published: August 2024

This research paper explores the intersection of modernist poetry and Chinese cultural revival during the early 20th century, focusing on the poetry of Guo Moruo (1892-1978), a prominent figure in modern Chinese literature. It delves into the adaptation of Western modernist techniques in Chinese poetry as a means of critiquing and rejuvenating traditional cultural forms in the face of social and political upheaval. Guo Moruo’s engagement with Western influences, particularly through his translations of Walt Whitman, exemplifies the broader movement among Chinese intellectuals to seek new modes of self-expression and challenge the rigid structures of Chinese society. Examining Guo Moruo’s poem The Nirvana of the Feng and Huang (1921) as a case study, the paper analyzes how modernist poets reanimated ancient Chinese myths and legends to convey contemporary social and political commentary. Through the voices of the mythical Feng and Huang, Guo Moruo critiques the oppressive conditions of late Qing society while expressing a fervent desire for change and rebirth.
Comparing Primary Distance Indicators
Authors: Zhang Tiffany
Published: August 2024

Measuring distances to astronomical objects is crucial for collecting and analyzing their properties. Different distance methods form the distance ladder, in which methods for shorter distances calibrate methods for larger distances. Parallax, main sequence fitting, variable stars, and red clump stars form the lower portion of the distance ladder. Reviews on these methods were compiled and evaluated. The distance methods played a significant role in astronomical discoveries (especially parallax), though controversies and discrepancies limit their reliability (especially for red clump stars). Red clump stars are not a firmly established distance indicator because of varying strengths in the relationships of specific photometric bands, or passbands, with other stellar properties between studies. These discrepancies are likely due to contamination of the data and the heterogeneous nature of red clump stars; hence, future research should explore different ways to isolate the red clump for more accurate and decisive data analyses on whether red clump stars are a plausible distance indicator.
The Importance of Peer Interaction in the Development of Social Skills During Adolescence: Growth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wang Stella
Published: August 2024

This article examines the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on adolescents’ social skills development. Adolescents are in a critical period of social skills development, and peer interactions are essential for fostering social competence. The pandemic limited traditional face-to-face interactions, which may potentially lead to long-term effects on adolescents’ social development and increase susceptibility to peer rejection. Digital connections, such as social media, can serve as potential buffers against the effects of COVID-19. Parental support is important in promoting adolescents’ social well-being and mental health.
Simulating Understanding with Deep Learning
Authors: Li Catherine
Published: August 2024

Artificial sentience is a significant ethical topic that would require talks of AI/AS rights and change how the world has begun to use AI in daily life. With developments in neural networks and the new release of ChatGPT, that topic is more relevant, but not necessarily a real concern yet. Current signs used to determine animal sentience and awareness cannot be applied to AI the same way, but the algorithms and capabilities of current AI can be examined instead. When tested on basic logic problems, ChatGPT and other large language models fall short. Current AI is not capable of true logic or understanding that comes from consciousness, revealing that the simulation of understanding has not become reality.
The influence of media on the New Brazilian Republic: From the 1989 elections to the January 8th attacks
Authors: Oliveira Elisa
Published: August 2024

The Brazilian media wields significant influence over popular thought and ideals, a substantial portion of the population regards the information provided by the mainstream media as absolute truth, granting them near-absolute power over shaping popular thinking. What stands out is that the Brazilian media is funded by major businessmen, politicians, and oligarchs who manipulate information for their own benefit. Much of this can be traced back to the country’s political history. The media played a crucial role in shaping this new political phase in Brazil, influencing election outcomes, supporting protests, and inciting popular thought to align with their ideals.
Antibacterial Properties of Manuka Honey and the Role of Methylglyoxal
Authors: Feng Youlin
Published: August 2024

The unique ecosystems of New Zealand have produced a diverse range of honey over the years, with Manuka honey being one of the most renowned. Produced by Western honeybees extracting nectar from Manuka flowers, this monofloral honey has become known for its distinct antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Whilst antibacterial activity in other honey tend to stem from factors such as hydrogen peroxide content, high viscosity, osmotic effect, and acidic pH, the antibacterial activity of Manuka honey is mainly attributed to methylglyoxal (MGO), a dicarbonyl compound which is found in high concentrations in Manuka honey. This review paper will focus on the antibacterial properties of Manuka honey and the role that MGO plays. Understanding the specific chemical mechanisms of attack on different strains of bacteria by Manuka honey and the role of MGO is crucial to potentially understanding how new drugs or medicines can combat antibacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Climate Change and the Hudson River Marshlands
Authors: Thayer Isabella J.
Published: August 2024

Climate change effects on the Hudson River are becoming an ever-looming threat. There are several ways climate change is affecting the Hudson River including the inevitable rising sea levels that contribute to erosion of beaches, inundation of deltas as well as flooding of homes, schools, and stores. This research examines the following research question: how does climate change affect the Hudson River marshland? An often overlooked impact of climate change on the Hudson River is the expansion of wetlands into riverside marshes. This paper explores how the increasing amount of seawater from global climate change, can affect the Hudson River marshes. To answer this question a literature review and analysis using Google Scholar was implemented. The findings suggest that based on the increase in global temperatures, the amount of marshlands that have become wetland areas has increased in volume. Marshlands are critical to protecting cities from flooding. The implications of this research could prove valuable for other coastal cities, in the United States and globally, that seek to protect themselves from the increasingly unpredictable and catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Structural characterization and dynamics of AdhE ultrastructures from Clostridium thermocellum: A containment strategy for toxic intermediates
Authors: Ziegler Samantha J , Knott Brandon C , Gruber Josephine N , Hengge Neal N , Xu Qi , Olson Daniel G , Romero Eduardo E , Joubert Lydia M , Bomble Yannick J
Published: August 2024

Clostridium thermocellum
, a cellulolytic thermophilic anaerobe, is considered by many to be a prime candidate for the realization of consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) and is known as an industry standard for biofuel production.
C. thermocellum
is among the best biomass degraders identified to date in nature and produces ethanol as one of its main products. Many studies have helped increase ethanol titers in this microbe, however ethanol production using
C. thermocellum
is still not economically viable. Therefore, a better understanding of its ethanol synthesis pathway is required. The main pathway for ethanol production in
C. thermocellum
involves the bifunctional aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhE). To better understand the function of the
C. thermocellum
AdhE, we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to obtain a 3.28 Å structure of the AdhE complex. This high-resolution structure, in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, provides insight into the substrate channeling of the toxic intermediate acetaldehyde, indicates the potential role of
C. thermocellum
AdhE to regulate activity and cofactor pools, and establishes a basis for future engineering studies. The containment strategy found in this enzyme offers a template that could be replicated in other systems where toxic intermediates need to be sequestered to increase the production of valuable biochemicals.
Prognostic value of left ventricular structure and strain in chronic kidney disease patients by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Wenju , Zhong Yi , Zhong Fang , Zhang Tianhui , Zhu Xinghua , Fan Weixiong
Published: August 2024

Background

Individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently face a heightened likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and cardiac mortality. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) is utilized to assess the micro-contraction function of the myocardium. The objective of this research is to explore the relationship between the left ventricular anatomy, myocardial strain, and the clinical outcomes in patients with CKD.

Methods

A total of 77 patients with late-stage CKD were enrolled in this retrospective study. They underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and were followed up, with no history of significant cardiac diseases. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) ≥ −15.2% (n = 49) and those with LVGLS < −15.2% (n = 28). The clinical endpoints were defined as hospitalization for heart failure or all-cause mortality.

Results

Over an average observation period of 22 ± 9 months, 11 (14%) patients passed away and 30 (39%) were admitted to the hospital for heart failure, with eight encountering both incidents. Those with LVGLS ≥ −15.2% had markedly lower rates of event-free survival concerning heart failure admissions and overall mortality than their counterparts (log-rank P = 0.014). Cox multivariable analysis indicated that reduced LVGLS consistently predicted a higher likelihood of combined outcomes of heart failure admissions and total mortality (HR: 3.40, 95% CI [1.35–8.56], P = 0.009), even when factoring in age, diabetes, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). However, the LVMI showed no significant correlation with the risk of heart failure admissions or overall mortality.

Conclusion

Compared to patients with LVGLS < −15.2%, CKD patients with LVGLS ≥ −15.2% have an increased risk of heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The prognostic role of LVMI in assessing CKD patients among the Asian population requires further investigation.
Experimental Study of the Semicircular Bending Test for Estimating the Flexural Strength of Concrete Mixtures for Pavements
Authors: Marín Uribe Carlos Rodolfo , Soto Guzmán Javiera , Rodríguez Moreno Mario Alberto
Published: August 2024

The feasibility of using the Semicircular Bending (SCB) test to control the quality of concrete for application in pavements was investigated. Two concrete mixtures incorporating high-strength cement with specified compressive strengths of 30 MPa and 40 MPa were manufactured. The results of the SCB test were correlated with those of the flexural strength of standardized beams and the compressive strength of cylinders. A statistical analysis of the goodness of fit of all the empirical models obtained was conducted to study the degree of association between the variables. Power models were the most appropriate to relate the mechanical properties studied, with Pearson's correlation coefficients higher than 0.93. These equations can feed the database of levels 1 and 2 of the Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) design method for concrete pavements. Models with unique values that allow quick calculations with good precision were also found. The results show that the SCB test is a promising option when estimating the flexural strength of concrete for use in pavement, as well as carrying out its control and quality assurance.
Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Caesarean Section: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Kaur Sukhmanpreet , Ghosh Amrita , Mitra Manasij , Pal Ranabir , Basu Maitraye
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Pain is the most unpleasant subjective feeling comprising of innumerable emotional and psychological components that require medical advice for relief, regardless of the cause. Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block and Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block are effectively studied blocks that provide adequate pain control. Aim: To compare postoperative analgesic efficacy in pregnant women undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia with Ultrasound (USG)-guided TAP block and USG-guided ESP block. Materials and Methods: In this institution-based interventional randomised clinical study, two categories comprising 30 subjects in group I with USG-guided bilateral TAP block and group II with USG-guided bilateral ESP block using Ropivacaine were involved. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to compare analgesic efficacy. Other parameters for analysis included time of first rescue analgesia, total number of administrations of rescue analgesia within 24 hours, together with Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs). Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: Subjects in group I had a mean age of 24.9±4.66 years while those in group II were 25.5±3.99 years. The VAS score at 24 hours in group I was 7.22±0.89 and in group II was 6.8±0.83, which was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0241. USG-guided ESP block was superior to USG-guided TAP block, providing analgesia for 24 hours. Following the first dose, there was a significant delay in rescue analgesia and a reduction in the total administration of rescue analgesia within 24 hours. The first rescue analgesia in group I was at 10.66±2.32 hours and in group II was at 16.66±2.53 hours, with a p-value of 0.0001 indicating a statistically significant difference. No ADRs were reported in either group of participants. Conclusion: ESP block provided a prolonged duration of analgesia, as shown by a decrease in the total VAS score. There was also a significant reduction in the total number of administrations of rescue analgesia within 24 hours when compared to TAP block, suggesting that ESP block provides superior analgesia. Hence, for pain relief in postcaesarean section individuals, ESP block can be regarded as a novel potent option.
Fluid Electrophoresis as a Tool for Diagnosis in Ascitic Patients: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sidahmed Yassir OA
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Ascites is a condition in which there is accumulation of pathological fluid within the abdominal cavity. It is a challenging problem for healthcare personnel due to different pathological causes. To make a differential diagnosis, many investigations are needed. These investigations mainly depend on the analysis of ascitic fluids. Aim: To determine electrophoresis patterns in ascitic fluid and to relate the findings to each established diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospitalbased study conducted at Khartoum and Alshaab Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan, from May 2018 to August 2018. The study population included all patients who were confirmed to have ascites using ultrasound. Fresh ascitic fluid samples were obtained from a total of 35 patients. All safety and aseptic conditions were applied. Immediately after collection, the samples were brought to the laboratory for electrophoresis of ascitic fluids. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in terms of frequency and percentage. Results: The study findings revealed that most of the patients were men 26 (74.3%) and were over 50 years old 16 (45.7%). The majority of them were diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis (LC) (28.6%), while a few (5.7%) suffered from Periportal Fibrosis (PF), Hepatocarcinoma (HC), Ovarian Carcinoma (OC), Heart Failure (HF), or Peritonitis (PT). Different patterns of ascitic electrophoresis were detected in diagnosed patients with ascites. About 29 (82.9%) patients had specific electrophoresis patterns that helped with diagnosis, while only 6 (17.1%) did not. Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatitis B bands were specific compared to normal serum patterns, while no changes in ascitic fluid electrophoresis were observed in HF.
Protecting “the unpopular ones.” Conservation themes in the writings of naturalist/herpetologist, Eric Worrell
Authors: Markwell Kevin
Published: August 2024

Australian naturalist and herpetologist, Eric Worrell (1924-1987), established the Australian Reptile Park at Wyoming on the NSW Central Coast in 1959. While the Park gave him a prominent platform as a popular reptile expert, his authority was also constructed through his publications. He was a prodigious writer: 11 books and more than 100 articles on aspects of natural history, as well as other topics, in popular magazines such as Outdoors and Fishing, People, Walkabout and Wild Life. Worrell also published in scientific journals including Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Australian Zoologist and Western Australian Naturalist. Using thematic and content analyses, this article identifies and explores key themes relating to the conservation of Australia's reptile fauna, or what Worrell referred to as “the unpopular ones”, in his writings. Four dominant themes, with some overlap, were identified and it was found that Worrell's approach to reptile conservation was overwhelmingly pragmatic, based on the communication of factual evidence, derived in large part from his own direct experiences with reptiles.
Identification and Classification of Constraints and Problems of Warehousing System: A Case Study of Telangana Stakeholders
Authors: Divya Kadakanchi , Devi D. A. Rajini , Suhasini K. , Meena A.
Published: August 2024

Aims: To identify the problems and constraints of stakeholders in warehousing system in Telangana state.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Mahbubnagar and Jagtial districts of Telangana state, which were selected purposively based on the number of warehouses available in the districts. The study was conducted between 2023 to 2024.
Methodology: The sample consists of 120 respondents which include different stakeholders viz., farmers, warehouse investors, warehouse managers, Handling and Transportation (H&T) contractor, H&T labour, Junior Assistant and Technical Assistant. All the stakeholders were selected using random sampling technique. Garrett’s ranking technique was employed to analyze the data.The data was collected through personal interview method using pre-tested schedules.
Results: The study revealed that, the absence of warehouse space was regarded as the major constraint experienced by farmers, with a mean score value of 71.77, followed by financial difficulties in paying off debts (55.7).  Two biggest challenges experienced by warehouse investors were limited stock arrivals (69.375) and stock rejections due to poor quality (62.5). The primary challenge, according to the warehouse manager and H&T contractor, is the shortage of labour for stocking, loading, and unloading of lots. H&T labour reported the major constraints they faced was lack of frequent employment (62.38) followed by migration from native places in search of work (57.88). Technical assistants have identified two constraints and they are changes in standard operating procedures (65.625) and extended working hours during peak seasons (60.625). Junior assistants had faced difficulties with maintaining pest-free goods (63.125) and rodent-caused storage losses (51.25).
Conclusion: The study recommends providing more storage facilities and issuing Nego able Warehouse Receipts to farmers, as well as improving the living conditions of H&T labourers to ensure their stable employment. Additionally, regular pest control and adherence to standardized warehouse management procedures are crucial for system improvement
Tissue Culture: A New Era in Vegetable Crop Micro Propagation
Authors: Baria V. K. , Goswami P. B. , Nadoda N. A. , Sarvaiya J. P. , Joshi P. C.
Published: August 2024

Plant tissue culture, emerging as a transformative technology, wields significant influence in agriculture by catering to the escalating global demand for plants. Particularly noteworthy are its remarkable advancements within vegetable crops, firmly establishing plant tissue culture as a leading frontier of innovation. Presently, its application holds immense promise and offers a glimpse into the future of agricultural practices. The multifaceted roles of plant tissue culture in vegetable crops encompass augmenting varietal production, safeguarding endangered species, and facilitating the large-scale production of secondary metabolites, plant-based vaccines, and antibodies through cell suspension culture. The effectiveness of plant tissue culture hinges on various factors, including the availability of nutrients, endogenous auxin synthesis, organic compounds, and environmental conditions. Additionally, it tackles the challenge of supplying planting materials for species that cannot be efficiently propagated through traditional seed methods, effectively meeting the ever-growing worldwide agricultural requirements [1]. Primary goal is to assist budding plant biotechnologists and amplify the global influence of the plant tissue culture industry.
A Comparative Study of Traditional Instruction & Virtual Reality Simulation on Intravenous Cannulation Training among Nursing Students in Nagpur
Authors: Bobade Pallavi , Shambharkar Abhilasha
Published: August 2024

Virtual Reality Simulation (VRS) is an educational tool that allows learners to engage in realistic patient scenarios without exposing actual patients to the risks associated with training. This method is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of clinical topics. The study was conducted is ‘’A Comparative Study of Traditional Instruction & Virtual Reality Simulation on Intravenous Cannulation Training among Nursing Students in Nagpur. The Objective of study were 1. To assess the knowledge and practice of the student nurses on Intravenous cannulation by Traditional Training Instruction and Virtual Reality Simulation.2. To assess the effectiveness of the Intravenous cannulation by Traditional Training Instruction 3. To assess the effectiveness of the Intravenous cannulation by Virtual Reality Simulation 4. To find out Association between Traditional Training Instruction Vs Virtual Reality Simulation among the students. Non experimental Comparative Research Design, It is conducted over 60 nursing students. (Group – I 30: - will be taught by traditional instruction, Group -II 30 will be taught by virtual reality simulation) by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Assessment is done by using Structured Knowledge questionnaire on demographic variables and on Knowledge regarding intravenous cannulation. And Checklist for assessing the practice regarding Intravenous cannulation. The finding reveals that 70% of nursing students in traditional technique had poor level of knowledge and practice, 30% in traditional technique and 10% in IV cannula technique had average level of knowledge score and 90% of nursing students in cannula technique had good level of knowledge score. There is no significance association between demographic variables.
A Comparability Investigation of Numerical Techniques and Scientific Computation for Financial Engineering
Authors: Akintola Samson Oluyomi
Published: August 2024

This research explores the comparability of various numerical techniques and scientific computing methods applied to financial engineering. Financial engineering relies heavily on advanced mathematical models and computational analysis to value complex financial instruments, manage risk, and optimize investment strategies. This study critically examines the efficiency, accuracy, and computational feasibility of prominent finite difference methods and Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, it assesses the integration of these methods with modern scientific computing frameworks, to enhance performance and scalability. The investigation includes a series of benchmark tests on common financial problems such as option pricing, portfolio optimization, and risk management. Our findings reveal that while traditional numerical methods like finite differences offer robustness and precision, they often lack scalability compared to Monte Carlo simulations which, despite their computational intensity, benefit significantly from parallelization enhancement. As such, this study gives best practices in selecting and combining numerical techniques and computing frameworks, aiming to equip financial engineers with effective tools for tackling modern financial challenges.
Evaluating Intercropping Indices, Yield Attributes and Yield of Baby Corn and Green Gram under Different Planting Patterns
Authors: Kumar Vishwakarma , Ram Vishram , Rajkumari Preety
Published: August 2024

Cereal + legume intercropping provides greater scope for minimizing the adverse impact of moisture and nutrient stress, improves system productivity, and soil health. The lack of adherence to row proportion geometry during crop sowing in the region results in a notable decline in crop productivity. Therefore, this study, conducted in the summer of 2022 at the experimental farm of the College of Post-graduate Studies in Agricultural Science, Umiam, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, aimed to evaluate the intercropping indices and yield attributes for assessing the biological and competitive effectiveness of baby corn and green gram under various planting patterns. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments and replicated thrice. The results indicated that planting patterns led to significantly higher yield attributes, grain yield, and stover yield in both sole cropping systems. Additionally, there was no significant difference when compared to the 3:3 strip planting systems used in the study. Among the different spatial arrangements, 3:3 strip planting of baby corn + green gram had been found to be more remunerative and efficient in terms of competition indices and biological efficiency than the rest of the treatments.
Exploring Fusarium wilt in Castor Plant: A Comprehensive Overview
Authors: Chaudhary L. S. , Chaudhari M. A. , Chaudhary H. K. , Kansara S. S.
Published: August 2024

Wilt of castor (Ricinus communis) plant caused by xylem inhabiting fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini (Fusari), which gives way to opportunistic pathogens such as R. reniformis, a nematode, resulting in massive agricultural production loss and an increase in disease severity when both are involved. Disease prevalence varied greatly between crop stages and cultivars. The genotypes GP-640, JI-35, RG-3477, and SKI-341 were highly susceptible, while RG-1916, RG-155, RG-1647, AP-163, Ap-33, Ap-156, Ap56, Ap-42, Ap-200, Ap-180, and Ap-171 were resistant against castor wilt. In vitro evaluation of the castor crop as a component crop revealed a maximum and minimum wilt occurrence rate of 48% and 1-6% in Groundnut + Castor (5:1) and Pigeonpea + Castor (1:1) intercropping, respectively. In GCH-4, treatment of the seeds with carbendazim at 1g/kg soil was shown to be the most efficient in lowering disease prevalence (24.4%) while also producing a high seed production of 1123 kg/h.
An interdisciplinary intervention for detection of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants: A pilot study
Authors: Roa Pia-Allison , Bostwick Jolene R. , Patel Paresh D. , Quigley Joanna , Thompson Amy N. , Ward Kristen M.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is a commonly reported side effect of antidepressant medications in clinical trials. Limited literature exists exploring the role of routine use of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in identification of TESD in clinical practice. Therefore, we completed a retrospective study with the primary goal of capturing the rates of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant use among adult patients at an outpatient encounter with a psychiatric clinical pharmacist between June 2020 and March 2022.

Methods

Rates of identification of sexual dysfunction were compared pre-ASEX survey (June 2020 to June 2021) to post-ASEX survey (July 2021 to March 2022).

Results

There was a significant increase in the identification of sexual dysfunction following implementation of the ASEX scale (10% in the pre-ASEX group versus 59% meeting sexual dysfunction criteria with the ASEX scale). Approximately 70% of patients in the post-ASEX group shared they would not have reported symptoms unless directly asked.

Discussion

In conclusion, a validated survey (ASEX) in an ambulatory psychiatry clinic improves identification of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants. Use of interdisciplinary care teams in the setting of medication follow-up can assist with identifying tolerability concerns between visits with patients’ prescribing clinicians.
Implementation of a practice model for inpatient psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioners with prescriptive authority at a veterans health care facility
Authors: Diokpa Chinedu , Givens Courtney
Published: August 2024

Clinical pharmacists play a valuable role on collaborative health care teams, especially in the field of mental health. However, there is a need to explore innovative practice models that optimize their potential in providing comprehensive medication management in inpatient psychiatric settings. This report aims to describe the implementation of a practice model using an inpatient psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner performing comprehensive medication management. The implementation of a practice model using a psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner was a feasible way to deliver comprehensive medication management and other clinical services in an inpatient psychiatric setting amid staffing challenges. Whereas limitations such as resource constraints must be considered, the success of this model highlights the value of a versatile psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner. These findings might offer insight to other health care facilities considering a similar approach to provide mental health care through the use of a psychiatric clinical pharmacist practitioner.