bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender Aspects Influencing Adoption of Bioenergy Conservation Technologies, the Case Lower Eastern Kenya
Authors: Kitheka Emily Mumbua , Oduor Nellie Caroline , Namaswa Timothy W. , Musyoki Josephine K. , Githiomi Joseph , Mutinda Jane W.
Published: December 2022

This paper examines the influence of gender in adoption of biomass energy conservation in Eastern Kenya. The region suffers deforestation, environmental degradation and threatened species as result of overexploitation of tree resources for woodfuel production. The government of Kenya and development partners has developed and promoted energy conservation technologies in the region for increased access to sustainable energy resources in rural areas geared towards achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to increased access to clean and affordable energy, the eradication of poverty and environmental sustainability, climate action as well as gender equality and the empowerment of women. Despite these efforts, adoption and continued use of improved bioenergy technologies has been low. The objective of the study was to determine gender aspects influencing adoption of biomass energy conservation technologies at household and community levels. The study was carried out in selected sub-counties of Kitui County using a survey design. Structured questionnaire and thematic guidelinesfor group discussions were used to collect data from 192 respondents. SPSS and Excel were used for data analysis. Results revealed that, at 0.05% level of significance, adoption of improved technologies were positively correlated to income and awareness levels. Inadequate awareness on benefits of improved bioenergy technologies among men, biased resource ownership, cultural roles and responsibilities, lack of inclusive decision making and over dependence on men and subsistence farming for financial support by women were indicated as key factors influencing adoption of improved technologies. The study concludes that though women are culturally responsible for provision of food and cooking energy, high poverty among women, and lack of awareness on the socio-economic benefits among men affects adoption of improved bioenergy technologies. The study recommends financial empowerment of women, inclusive decision making and mainstreaming gender at all levels of project implementation for increased adoption of new technologies.
Neurozerra conferta (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) damaging Melaleuca plantations in Vietnam and its biological control
Authors: Chi Nguyen Minh , Huong Vu Dinh , Pham Duy Long , Binh Le Van , Luu Nguyen Van , Ha Kieu Manh , Loi Vu Van , Yakovlev Roman V.
Published: December 2022

Melaleuca leucadendra and M. cajuputi are grown widely in Vietnam, with plantation areas in 2020 of 32,000 ha and 36,000 ha respectively. A stem borer, Neurozerra conferta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), has significantly damaged plantations of both species. Field surveys in 2021 found N. conferta damage to M. leucadendra in the four provinces of Ninh Binh, Long An, Dong Thap and Kien Giang with a damage incidence (P%, percentage of plants attacked) of 22.4–33.2% and an average damage index (DI) of 0.77–1.01. In Long An province, surveys in 2022 found frequent damage to M. leucadendra plantations at the age of 2–3 years with P% ranging from 22.7 to 27.3% and DI from 0.46 to 0.54. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were identified as potential biological agents with control effectiveness of 59.6–63.3%. Screening to identify resistant varieties of M. leucadendra and development of an integrated pest management strategy for N. conferta are recommended.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Coccotorus beijingensis Lin et Li, 1990 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Curculioninae, Anthonomini) and its phylogenetic implications
Authors: Jiang Sai , Jiang Lina , Li Ran , Gao Hui , Zhang Aijing , Yan Yurong , Zou Xinzhu , Wu Jixiao , Xu Shuying , Yi Xianfeng , Li Yujian
Published: December 2022

Coccotorus beijingensis Lin et Li, 1990 belongs to Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Curculioninae, Anthonomini. It is a herbivorous insect that damages Celtis bungeana Blume (Ulmaceae) by affecting branch growth. The mitochondrial genome of C. beijingensis was sequenced and annotated to better identify C. beijingensis and related species. The total length of the C. beijingensis mitochondrial genome was 17,071 bp, contained 37 typical genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes) and two control regions (total length: 2,292 bp). Mitochondrial genome composition, nucleotide composition and codon usage are similar to those of other sequenced Curculionidae mitogenomes. All protein-coding genes initiated with ATN and TTG codons and ended with TAA, TAG or incomplete stop codons (TA, T). In addition, analyses of pairwise genetic distances between individual PCGs in Curculionidae species showed that ATP8 was the least conserved gene, while COI was the most conserved. Twenty-one transfer RNAs had typical cloverleaf structures, while trnS1 lacked dihydrouridine (DHU) arms. ML and BI analyses, based on 13 PCGs and two rRNAs from ten species of Curculionidae, strongly support the relationships between C. beijingensis and species of the genus Anthonomus: ((An. eugenii+ An. rubi) + C. beijingensis + (An. pomorum+ An. rectirostris)) (BS = 100; PP = 1). Our phylogenetic analyses could mean that the genus Coccotorus should be sunk under Anthonomus, but more taxon sampling is needed to verify this result.
The family Polycentropodidae (Insecta, Trichoptera) in mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber
Authors: Wichard Wilfried , Xu Chunpeng
Published: December 2022

Three described species, Neureclipsis triangulasp. nov., Neureclipsis acutasp. nov., and Neureclipsis obtusasp. nov., expand the Neureclipsis cluster to six species dominating the Polycentropodidae in Burmese amber. The new species Plectrocnemia ohlhoffisp. nov. and Plectrocnemia bowangisp. nov. of the Polycentropus cluster add to the comparatively low occurrence of Polycentropodidae in Burmese mid-Cretaceous amber.
Ancrage, encastrement, empreinte : triptyque métaphorique à propos des rapports sociétés-territoires. Réflexions à partir des relations entre art, culture et territoires
Authors: Michel Basile
Published: December 2022

Cet article vise à contribuer conceptuellement à la compréhension des rapports aux lieux et aux territoires des individus et des collectifs à travers une proposition théorique articulée autour d’un triptyque métaphorique ancrage (le bateau et son ancre), encastrement (l’imbrication de deux ensembles), empreinte (les influences et les traces laissées). Afin de donner corps à ce triptyque, chacune des métaphores va être définie puis appliquée empiriquement au champ de l’art et de la culture dans une perspective territoriale. L’analyse s’appuie sur des enquêtes de terrain menées sur les liens entre l’art, la culture et les territoires dans divers contextes (Île-de-France, Nantes, Shanghai, etc.) et à l’aide de différents outils (entretiens, observation, analyse de réseaux, etc.). Elle permet de mettre en évidence trois principaux résultats : d’abord, l’agglomération spatiale des lieux culturels dans certains quartiers urbains singuliers et l’articulation des ressources locales et des circulations internationales qui s’y joue ( l’ancrage ), ensuite la diversité des formes et des degrés d’insertion dans le territoire des lieux culturels ( l’encastrement ), et enfin l’ambivalence des traces et des effets des acteurs et projets culturels sur les territoires et leurs trajectoires ( l’empreinte ), effets qui peuvent contribuer à la vitalité culturelle locale, mais aussi à la production de phénomènes de désancrage/désencastrement de la création artistique. Au-delà du champ artistique et culturel, ce triptyque ouvre des perspectives de recherches sur les rapports sociétés-territoires en proposant une grille conceptuelle transversale et dynamique pour analyser la dimension spatiale des réalités sociales.
L’histoire cachée de Hans Faverey
Authors: Lindner Erik , in’t Groen Éloïse
Published: December 2022

Le fonds posthume de Hans Faverey comporte des lettres et d’autres documents d’Anton Faverey, père du poète, qui devait rejoindre ses fils et son épouse après leur émigration aux Pays-Bas en 1939, mais remit sans cesse ce voyage à plus tard. Hans Faverey affirmait n’avoir aucun souvenir du Suriname, et n’a jamais fait la moindre allusion à un possible lien entre son œuvre et son pays d’origine. Pourtant, les lettres et documents nous éclairent sur la relation complexe que Hans Faverey entretenait avec son père autant qu’avec ce pays, le Suriname. Ils témoignent de la philosophie de vie du père que le poète semble avoir rejetée mais qui, même de manière négative, peuvent avoir une importance dans son œuvre.
Les phalanges de Socrate (X., Mem ., I, 3, 11-13)
Authors: Barbara Sébastien
Published: December 2022

Xénophon ( Mem ., I, 3, 11-13) attribue à Socrate une image rapprochant les baisers des beaux garçons des envenimements causés par les araignées dites phalanges (φαλάγγια). Parallèlement, Platon ( Smp. , 217e-218b) prête à Alcibiade l’image de la morsure de vipère à propos de l’amour-philosophie. Ces images issues des topoi populaires de la morsure-piqûre de l’amour témoignent d’une tendance des socratiques à développer des comparaisons en rapport avec la sphère médicale et des échanges entre philosophes et médecins dans l’Athènes des v e - iv e  s. Dans le cas des phalanges le témoignage de Xénophon atteste, par sa date haute, une diffusion précoce de savoirs iologiques précis, notamment le lien causal entre symptômes critiques et morsure de la veuve noire méditerranéenne ( Latrodectus tredecimguttatus Rossi) qui n’est pourtant pas facile à établir.
Un témoignage de Ferdinand de Saussure sur une inscription étrusque inédite, conservé dans les Archives Danielsson à Uppsala
Authors: Briquel Dominique , Muller Jean-Claude , Mejía Quijano Claudia
Published: December 2022

F. de Saussure ne s’est jamais occupé de l’étrusque. Cependant il eut l’occasion, au cours de son voyage en Italie de l’hiver 1905-1906, d’examiner une inscription étrusque qui lui fut montrée par son propriétaire, un des fils du peintre Cristiano Banti. Il entra alors en relation avec le Suédois O. A. Danielsson, professeur à Uppsala, qui était à la tête de l’entreprise de catalogage et d’étude de l’épigraphie étrusque, le Corpus Inscriptionum Etruscarum . Les archives inédites laissées par Danielsson à Uppsala et celles, également inédites, conservées par la famille de Saussure au château de Vufflens permettent de se faire une idée de cet échange, qui resta très limité. Saussure ne lut pas correctement cette inscription étrusque, restée inconnue jusqu’ici, et le désir qu’aurait eu Danielsson de profiter de ce contact avec le linguiste suisse pour lui demander d’examiner les inscriptions étrusques du musée de Genève n’aboutit à aucune réalisation concrète.
Melqart, Junon Covella et les calendes étrusques. À propos de étr. te š iameitale
Authors: Hadas-Lebel Jean
Published: December 2022

À côté du nom étrusque des ides, *isveita , déjà reconnu par M. Cristofani, nous pensons avoir identifié celui des calendes : *tesiameita . Ce mot, attesté au locatif temporel ( tešiameitale ) sur la lamelle A de Pyrgi, n’a pour l’instant reçu aucune interprétation vraiment concluante. L’hypothèse que nous défendons dans cet article est que ce composé articulé signifiait littéralement « la creuse » ou « le (jour) à la creuse », l’autre composé *isveita pouvant quant à lui se rendre par « la pleine » ou « le (jour) à la pleine ». Si notre hypothèse est correcte, il faudrait en conclure que le calendrier étrusque primitif était basé sur les phases creuse et pleine de la lune. L’épiclèse Couella , litt. « la petite creuse », portée par la Junon lunaire que les pontifes invoquaient le jour des calendes semble d’ailleurs indiquer qu’il existait, en latin comme en étrusque, un lien étroit entre la notion de calendes et l’évidement du disque lunaire. Quant au « jour de l’ensevelissement de la divinité » mentionné sur la lamelle B de Pyrgi (rédigée en punique), qu’on l’interprète comme le jour où la lune assimilée à la déesse Astarté entrait en conjonction avec le soleil ou comme celui de l’ egersis du dieu Melqart, il coïncidait probablement avec l’interlune.
Les noms propres dans l’ Iliade latine
Authors: Chlad Amandine
Published: December 2022

Cet article examine les emplois de noms propres dans l’ Iliade latine , afin de dégager certaines spécificités de ce texte. L’examen repose sur l’analyse détaillée d’un passage essentiel de l’œuvre, le catalogue des vaisseaux grecs et des troupes troyennes, menée en comparaison avec celui de l’ Iliade , l’œuvre source. Cet examen permet de relever l’importante fidélité de l’ Iliade latine pour ce qui est de l’énonciation des anthroponymes qui composent le catalogue, malgré quelques rares différences que nous analysons dans le détail, mais également la liberté prise par le poète dans la composition de ce catalogue. En revanche, l’ Iliade latine ne présente presque aucun toponyme, contrairement à son modèle. Ces différents constats peuvent nous conduire à de nouvelles conclusions sur les caractéristiques du poème latin.
Le savoir en partage : dynamiques internationales de la bibliographie d’études classiques (1911-1945)
Authors: Hilbold Ilse
Published: December 2022

L’histoire de la bibliographie est un champ de recherche encore peu investi par les historiens, alors même qu’elle permet d’interroger pratiques savantes et modalités de la circulation des savoirs dans le cadre d’une réflexion transnationale. La bibliographie est ainsi un objet qu’on peut aborder de façon historique en interrogeant ses ambitions, les buts qu’elle se donne et qui constituent une réponse aux besoins qui sont exprimés par un public d’utilisateurs. Il faut d’ailleurs souligner que les revendications de la communauté savante sont largement soutenues par de grandes institutions de l’après première guerre mondiale, telles que la Société des Nations ou l’Institut international de coopération intellectuelle qui ambitionnent d’internationaliser les pratiques scientifiques. L’Année Philologique s’inscrit dès sa fondation dans ce grand mouvement de rénovation de la bibliographie au xx e  siècle et son étude permet de faire porter le regard sur cette période où l’international prend des couleurs, des significations et des formes variées.
Un secolo di bibliografia: tappe, linee e orizzonti dell’internazionalizzazione
Authors: Montanari Franco
Published: December 2022

L’histoire de la Société Internationale de Bibliographie Classique (SIBC) et de L’Année Philologique ( APh ) est ici envisagée sous un double angle, celui de la pluridisciplinarité et celui de l’internationalisation, et on peut la considérer comme un processus de réalisation du projet initial de Jules Marouzeau notamment sous ces deux angles. L’ouverture des différentes rédactions de L’APh a élargi le panorama international qui, ces derniers temps, s’est étendu non seulement à la Grèce mais aussi à l’Extrême-Orient (Japon, Chine), en gardant toujours à l’esprit la nécessité d’assurer la cohérence unitaire de la bibliographie. Par l’intermédiaire de la SIBC, membre de la FIEC, qui elle-même est membre du CIPSH, L’APh est incluse dans un cadre institutionnel international de grande importance pour la présence des études classiques. Enfin, on examine la migration progressive de L’APh vers un travail et un produit bibliographique entièrement électroniques, de la collecte des données à la gestion de la base de données et enfin à la consultation en ligne.
The Digitization of the Année Philologique
Authors: Clayman Dee L.
Published: December 2022

Cet essai relate la transformation de L’Année Philologique en une base de données en ligne grâce à un effort conjoint de la Société Internationale de Bibliographie Classique (SIBC) et de la Society for Classical Studies (SCS), fondée sous le nom d’American Philological Association (APA). Le concept a été abordé par l’APA en 1980, mais le processus n’a été officiellement lancé qu’en 1988, date à laquelle il a reçu la bénédiction de Juliette Ernst. Les premiers résultats tangibles sont apparus en 1989 grâce aux travaux de la Base de Données de Bibliographie Classique (DCB) à New York. Au cours de ses dix-neuf années d’activité, la DCB a converti 63 volumes de l’APh , 1924-1992, à partir de la page imprimée pour aboutir à 765 700 données enregistrées. Les données rétrospectives ont été fusionnées avec les données nouvellement recueillies par la SIBC en 2002 et mises à disposition pour la première fois en ligne. La base de données commune a transformé la recherche en études classiques et préservera la valeur de L’APh pour les générations futures.
Rédiger une bibliographie critique et analytique de l’Antiquité gréco-latine : objectifs de L’Année Philologique et méthodes de rédaction des notices bibliographiques
Authors: Viredaz Antoine
Published: December 2022

Le présent article vise à illustrer les méthodes de travail employées par les équipes de L’Année Philologique ( APh ) pour atteindre les ambitieux objectifs de qualité poursuivis par cette bibliographie. Il est en outre montré quelles informations y sont collectées et comment elles le sont, afin d’aider le lectorat de L’APh à tirer le meilleur parti de cet outil.
A scaled Polak-Ribi$ \grave{e} $re-Polyak conjugate gradient algorithm for constrained nonlinear systems and motion control
Authors: Sabi'u Jamilu , Althobaiti Ali , Althobaiti Saad , Sahoo Soubhagya Kumar , Botmart Thongchai
Published: December 2022

This paper proposes Polak-Ribi$ \grave{e} $re-Polyak (PRP) conjugate gradient (CG) directions based on two efficient scaling strategies. The first scaling parameter is determined by approaching the quasi-Newton direction, and the second by utilizing the well-known Barzilai-Borwein approach. In addition, we proposed two directions that satisfy the sufficient descent criterion regardless of the line search strategy. The proposed directions lead to a matrix-free algorithm for solving monotone-constrained nonlinear systems. The proposed algorithm's global convergence analysis is presented using some underlying assumptions. Furthermore, a detailed numerical comparison with other existing algorithms revealed that the proposed algorithm is both efficient and effective. Finally, the proposed technique is applied to the motion control problem of a two-joint planar robotic manipulator.
FAIRifying a scholarly publishing service: Methodology based on the OpenEdition’s internal FAIR audit
Authors: Avanço Karla , Gingold Arnaud
Published: December 2022

The FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) constitute a guide whose aim is to improve the management of digital scholarly resources. Nevertheless, the literature regarding data services other than data repositories is still scarce.OpenEdition is a digital infrastructure for open scholarly communication in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) that carried out an internal full review to assess the degree of FAIRness of its activities. The objective of this paper is to present the methodology employed by OpenEdition’s team and the recommendations for the FAIRification of a publishing system, and hence, the elements for the FAIR Publishing Toolkit. The FAIR review was conducted in three main phases: preparation, assessment, and result phase, which listed the recommendations for the FAIR principles implementation. The preparation phase gathered the available information to define the perimeter of the FAIR review. It comprised two steps: the landscape study and the exam of actual use cases. The assessment phase contextualized the FAIR principles according to the scholarly publishing context, defined the datasets to be analyzed, carried outa FAIR maturity review per dataset, and analyzed the state of the art of some important FAIR-related elements. The result phase produced the recommendations, organized as priorities and extended objectives. The priority recommendations regard persistent identifiers and licensing policies. The extended objectives focus on authors' information management, controlled vocabularies, machine-actionability, and Digital Management Plans.
Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition in an IoT Ecosystem
Authors: Fabiano Nicola
Published: December 2022

This article does not deepen the insight on technical aspects related to artificial intelligence and facial recognition, but it highlights how relevant privacy aspects are also inside an IoT ecosystem. Furthermore, the author points out the risks of some resources found online, exposing face images, in the compliance with GDPR and privacy rules process. Indeed, adopting artificial intelligence to realize human face images of people who do not exist but realized starting from real persons can have consequences on data protection rules and the possible misuse by everyone who can retrieve them. Artificial intelligence might foster synthetic identity, or, better, artificial intelligence synthetic identity cases, building human profiles using particulars belonging to different persons. The author proposes an approach based on the innovative data protection and privacy relationships model (DAPPREMO) to address any activity or process related to data protection and privacy due to having a broader view of any investigation's subject.
Business Model Innovation Through Digital Entrepreneurship
Authors: Saqib Natasha , Shah Gowsia Bashir
Published: December 2022

Aggregator business network models are quickly becoming critical enablers of digital transformation across various industries and are increasingly active in service start-ups such as online food delivery. With their innovative use of digital technologies, several unconventional start-ups in the online food ordering space are upending the market. However, the industry faces fierce competition from rivals and rising consumer demand for unique experiences. Using an exploratory case study methodology, the current study investigates the case of “Zomato,” an Indian restaurant aggregator and food delivery start-up. The study aims to demonstrate how Zomato, a digital start-up, has gained a competitive advantage by changing its business model. An investigation into the Indian-based online food ordering company Zomato's business model innovation has been reported. This study shows how Zomato has differentiated itself from its competitors in the Indian food market by focusing on the nine business model canvas components. This improves our understanding of business model innovation's theoretical foundations and forerunners as a source of competitive advantage.
A Design Methodology for Modeling Flexible Business Processes
Authors: Ben Said Imen , Chaabane Mohamed Amine , Bouaziz Rafik
Published: December 2022

Business process flexibility is a major challenge since it is crucial to consider the current environment, which is becoming very fluctuating, and to adapt processes accordingly. To deal with this issue, version-based approach is recognized as a key notion. This approach allows defining several versions for each process to take into account the significant changes occurring to this process while keeping track of updates. Several contributions have proposed solutions based on versions to deal with process flexibility. However, to the authors' knowledge, none of them offered a version derivation approach under a design methodology to help designers to model and handle versions of processes. So, this paper recommends a design methodology based on versions, including a derivation approach to create new versions based on previously modeled ones.
Content and Popularity-Based Music Recommendation System
Authors: Garanayak Mamata , Nayak Suvendu Kumar , Sangeetha K.  , Choudhury Tanupriya , Shitharth S.
Published: December 2022

The future of many modern technologies includes machine learning and deep learning methodologies. One of the prominent applications of these technologies is the recommender system. Due to the rapid growth of the songs in digital formats, the searching and managing of songs has become a great problem. In this study, the authors developed a recommender system using popularity and rhythm content of the song. The studies compared various techniques to improve the robustness and minimal error of the system. The authors will mostly focus on content-based, popularity-based, and collaborative-based filtering algorithms and also try to combine them using a hybrid approach. The authors utilized MAE for comparing the several procedures implemented here for the recommendation. Out of all procedures used, SVD performed well with MAE of 1.60 while KNN didn't perform that well as the authors had fewer features of song with mean absolute error of 2.212. User-relied and item-relied prototypes performed the best with MAE of 0.931 and 0.629.
Designing Mobile Learning Smart Education System Architecture for Big Data Management Using Fog Computing Technology
Authors: Khani Muhammad Adnan Kaim , Khan Abdullah Ayub , Brohi Allah Bachayo , Shaikh Zaffar Ahmed
Published: December 2022

The mobile learning system will not only bring the attention of students towards education but also higher results can be achieved. One of the motives of the research is to involve the students in their academic assignment by using a system that lets the students work on the assignment with interest. Moreover, better results from students are expected after implementing the mobile learning system. Manual work will be given to students before the mobile learning system to get the attention of students and then work on the mobile learning system will be assigned. The difference between both traditional and computerization mobile learning systems will be analyzed by surveying students. The traditional cloud computing structure is physically centralized.
Factors Influencing Adoption of Digital Payment Systems During COVID-19
Authors: Lakhaiyar Sweta , Mani Mukta
Published: December 2022

The digital payment system has many advantages over cash transactions. In India, the adoption of digital payment has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but still, the usage of cash is extremely high. This study attempts to determine the factors influencing the adoption of digital payment and the barriers to the adoption during COVID-19. Exploratory factor analysis has been carried out on primary data collected from 409 respondents using a closed-ended questionnaire. The study reveals efficiency parameters, perceived utility, social influence, and facilitating conditions as significant influencing factors. The barriers identified are technological barrier, value barrier, risk barrier, usage and image barriers. The digital payment industry may use the findings of this study to enhance the influencing factors and remove the barriers such as improving the performance and reducing the efforts of payment applications and providing better technology and increasing awareness about digital fraud.
Access to Credit and Green Innovation
Authors: Bai Rui , Lin Boqiang
Published: December 2022

Starting with the natural credit relationship between financial institutions and enterprises, this paper examines the relationship between distance-based access to credit and green innovation by using the data of financial licenses and listed enterprises. Based on the resource dependence theory, the authors use the geographical location of bank branches and enterprises to build micro-level credit access indicators. It shows that enterprises with better access to credit have more motivation to carry out green innovation. Taking the number of branches of the Bank of China in 1937 as an instrumental variable, it still supports the above results. Its influence lies in the reduction of financing constraints of enterprises. This paper further discusses the impact of green finance and digitization. The development of green finance and digitization could replace the benefits of distance-based access to credit. Combined with the transformation process of traditional banks in the future, this paper puts forward some policy suggestions to promote green innovation and low-carbon development.
Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in a Tertiary Hospital in Korea, 2016 to 2020
Authors: Kim Keun Ju , Oh Seung-Hwan , Jeon Doosoo , Chang Chulhun L.
Published: December 2022

Background: There is a global increase in isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The aim of the study was to analyze longitudinal trends of NTM identification and pattern of antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Methods: NTM recovery rates, distribution of NTM species identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of NTM at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: A total of 52,456 specimens from 21,264 patients were submitted for mycobacterial culture, of which 2,521 from 1,410 patients were NTM positive over five years (January 2016 to December 2020). NTM isolation showed an increasing trend from 2016 to 2020 (p<0.001, test for trend) mainly caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. The vast majority of M. avium complex were susceptible to key agents clarithromycin and amikacin. For Mycobacterium kansasii, resistance to rifampin and clarithromycin is rare. Amikacin was the most effective drug against Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus and Mycobacterium subspecies massiliense. Most of M. subspecies massiliense were susceptible to clarithromycin, while the majority of M. abscessus subspecies abscessus were resistant to clarithromycin (p<0.001).Conclusion: There was an increasing trend of NTM isolation in our hospital. Resistance to key drugs was uncommon for most NTM species except for M. abscessus subspecies abscessus against clarithromycin.
Hyperglycemia Risk Evaluation of Hydrocortisone Intermittent Boluses versus Continuous Infusion in Septic Shock
Authors: Ram Ganesh Kumar , Shekhar Saurav , Singh Raj Bahadur , Anand Ravi , De Ranjeet Rana , Kumar Nitin
Published: December 2022

Background:

Hydrocortisone showed an important role in reversal of shock when added to standard therapy in managing septic shock. Hyperglycemia is one of the most common side effects associated with corticosteroid treatment.

Aims:

This study aimed to evaluate the risk of hyperglycemia of intermittent hydrocortisone boluses versus continuous infusion in septic shock patients.

Settings and Design:

This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and forty patients with septic shock and who received noradrenaline were enrolled in this randomized study. Group 1 was intermittent bolus hydrocortisone group (n = 70) and Group 2 was continuous infusion group (n = 70). All patients who were admitted with septic shock and who received noradrenaline and hydrocortisone were included in the study. Those patients who had exceeded 200 mg per day of hydrocortisone were excluded from the study. The primary outcome of the study was mean blood glucose.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Qualitative variables were compared between the two groups with the Chi-square of the Fisher's exact test and continuous variables were compared using the Student's t-test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results:

Out of 112 patients, 54 patients received hydrocortisone as intermittent boluses (48.2%), and 58 patients (51.8%) received continuous infusion. For the primary outcome, no statistically or clinically significant difference was found in the blood glucose estimated marginal mean: 154.44 mg.dL−1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 144.18–166.88) in the bolus group and 160.2 mg.dL−1 (95% CI: 143.82–176.76) in the infusion group with a mean difference of 05.76 mg.dL−1 (95% CI: −13.86–25.38). For the secondary outcomes of the study, no difference was found between the two groups in hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic events, mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit, and reversal of shock.

Conclusions:

The risk of hyperglycemia is almost equal in both intermittent and continuous infusions of hydrocortisone in septic shock patients.
The Effectiveness of Three Regimens of Sedation for Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ramaprasannakumar Shwethashri Kondavagilu , Bhadrinarayan Varadarajan , Venkataramaiah Sudhir
Published: December 2022

Background:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under sedation requires faster recovery for early discharge and feeding resumption in children with neuropsychiatric disorders. The use of dexmedetomidine alone results in delayed recovery. Propofol, when used alone, can cause hypotension and respiratory depression. A new regimen for sedation was evaluated by exploiting the properties of these drugs, to allow faster recovery with minimal adverse events.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and fifty children aged 2–12 years requiring MRI were randomly allocated to these three groups. Group P (n = 50) received propofol bolus at 2 mg.kg−1 over 10 min followed by infusion at 100 μg.kg−1.min−1. Group D (n = 50) received dexmedetomidine bolus of 2 μg.kg−1 over 10 min followed by infusion at 1 μg.kg−1.h−1. Group PD (n = 50) received propofol bolus at 2 mg.kg−1 over 10 min followed by dexmedetomidine infusion at 1 μg.kg−1.h−1. Recovery characteristics were noted.

Results:

Recovery following sedation in Group PD (15 ± 7.0 min) and Group P (17.35 ± 7.4 min) were comparable and significantly (P = 0.03) lesser than Group D (27.58 ± 8.09 min). Emergence delirium scores were significantly less in Group PD (5 ± 1.08) and Group D (5.6 ± 2.4), unlike scores in Group P (9 ± 2.43). About 79.5% (39/49) of children in Group P, 88.2% (45/51) of children in Group D, and 86% (43/50) of children in Group PD completed MRI without any movement. Seven (14.58%) in Group P, 2 (4%) in Group D, and 5 (10.20%) in Group PD required rescue sedation.

Conclusion:

The regimen with propofol bolus and dexmedetomidine infusion provided adequate sedation and better recovery characteristics in children aged 2–12 years without systemic complications, as compared to the use of either agent alone.
Perioperative Challenges in the Management of Rhino-Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis
Authors: Bhalerao Pradnya Milind , Kuttarmare Shital Mahendra , Joshi Shweta , Naik Sanyogita Vijay
Published: December 2022

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the biggest threat of the century. Associated with this disease, are a number of rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis cases seen as post COVID sequelae. Amphotericin B and surgical debridement are the treatment modalities.

Aims:

This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of patients with ROCM.

Settings and Design:

This was a prospective, observational study.

Materials and Methods:

We carried out a study of 238 patients with confirmed ROCM posted for functional endoscopic sinus surgery, craniotomies, maxillofacial surgeries, and orbital exenteration under general anesthesia and the perioperative challenges therein.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Data were entered in the excel sheet. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27:0. Categorical variables were expressed as counts and percentages.

Results:

78% had diabetes mellitus, 64% had received steroids, 59% had a preoperative oxygen saturation of less than 90%, 86% had a 4–6 zone involvement on chest radiograph, and more than 50% had an anticipated difficult airway. Postsurgery, 13% of patients required intensive care. The 15-day mortality rate was 3% among the operated cases.

Conclusion:

Post-COVID ROCM is challenging in terms of preoperative poor general condition, difficult airway, intraoperative concerns due to pathophysiology of the disease and its effect on organ systems, and the requirement of postoperative vigilant monitoring.
Stress, postpartum depression, and anxiety in mothers of neonates admitted in the NICU: A cross-sectional hospital-based study
Authors: Garg Dikshita , Chaudhury Suprakash , Saldanha Daniel , Kumar Santosh
Published: December 2022

Background:

Mothers of neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience heightened distress, anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. Despite their prevalence, these conditions are generally neither recognized nor treated due to the constraints of time and concerns about the social acceptability of screening.

Aim:

To study stress, postpartum depression, and anxiety in mothers of neonates admitted to the NICU.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred forty consecutive mothers having preterm and low birth weight neonates in the NICU were taken for the study as cases and an equal number of mothers of full-term neonates matched for age and socioeconomic status (SES), were recruited as controls with their informed consent. Subjects were assessed with the Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Scale (PSS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS).

Results:

Mothers of preterm neonates in NICU had significantly higher scores on the ASDS, PSS, EPDS, and PASS compared to controls. There was a significant association of ASDS and PSS scores with younger age, higher education, middle SES, joint family, urban residence, unplanned pregnancy, and male child. There was a significant association of the EPDS scores with lower SES, low education, unemployment, and male child. There was a significant association of the PASS scores with younger age, lower SES, and cesarean section.

Conclusion:

Mothers of preterm neonates admitted to the NICU compared to controls have significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
An Unusual Presentation of Spindle Cell Tumor on Palate
Authors: Kaur Jasbir , Chopra Rohit , Singh Anantpreet
Published: December 2022

Spindle cell tumors are rarely reported in the oral cavity. Since the subtypes of these lesions are very difficult to diagnose, immunohistochemistry is a useful diagnostic tool. Here, we report a case of benign spindle cell tumor on palate. A 49 year old male presented with irregular mass of approximately 2 × 2 cm on maxillary right posterior region of palate since 2 months. Excisional biopsy and immunohistochemistrydetermine it as benign spindle cell tumor.
Evaluating the Role of Salivary Oxidative Stress Marker Malondialdehyde in Dental Caries—A Comparative Study
Authors: Sivaranjani S. , Annasamy Rameshkumar , James Amritha , Krishnan Rajkumar , Mahalingam Ramya , Arunachalam Preethi
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Free radical-induced damage on the lipids results in the creation of a novel oxidative stress marker—malondialdehyde (MDA). MDA-induced cell damage affects the immune mechanisms of saliva and may lead to the initiation and progression of bacterial diseases like periodontitis and even dental caries.

Aim and Objectives:

To determine the salivary levels of the oxidative stress marker—malondialdehyde (MDA) in subjects with dental caries before and after treatment to assess the role of MDA in the initiation and evolution of dental caries.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 40 patients in total. Based on the number of caries teeth present at the time of diagnosis, patients were divided into two groups: Group I: Subjects with dental caries in 1–2 teeth, N = 20; Group II: Subjects with dental caries in 3–4 teeth, N = 20. The patients were further divided into two groups after undergoing treatment: Group III: Group I subjects who undertook treatment for dental caries, N = 20; Group IV: Group II subjects who underwent treatment for dental caries, N = 20. The whole saliva was obtained from all subjects before treatment and one month after treatment. Estimation of MDA levels was done using ELISA. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Elevated levels of MDA were evident in subjects with greater carious lesions. The levels of MDA decreased significantly in post-treatment subjects. Pearson's correlation analysis also showed a strong positive correlation with the R-value of 0.832 between Group I and Group II.

Conclusion:

MDA levels increased with an increase in carious lesions and significantly reduced following treatment proving the role of salivary MDA in the evolution of dental caries.
Correlation of the Mandibular Inferior Cortical Index and Panoramic Mandibular Index on Digital Panoramic Radiographs with Total Serum Calcium and Maximum Hand-Grip Strength in the Elderly – A Prospective Study
Authors: Das Bipasha , Bagewadi Shivanand B.
Published: December 2022

Introduction:

Panoramic radiograph classification can be used in general dental practice to identify the suspected risk of osteoporosis.

Objective:

The study aimed to compare the values of mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) classification and panoramic mandibular index (PMI) in the digital panoramic radiographs of elderly males and females to investigate whether there was a relationship between the indices and total serum calcium (TSC) and maximum hand-grip strength.

Methods:

Forty healthy elderly males and females were included in the study. The PMI and MIC were measured using a digital panoramic machine. Their TSC was evaluated, and the maximum hand-grip strength was recorded using a dynamometer. The correlation of the indices with TSC was analyzed to evaluate osteoporotic changes in the mandible.

Results:

The hand-grip strength was significantly higher in males than in females. The class 2 MIC was significantly higher compared to that in class 1 and class 3. The kappa value of the intraobserver agreement was almost perfect. The mean rank of MIC classification of females was significantly higher than that of males. The correlation among the MIC, PMI, and TSC was statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The present study showed that the MIC classification might be a better indicator/predictor for detecting early osteoporotic changes in older women.
Comparison of Oral Submucosal Thickness in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients before and after Treatment using Ultrasonography – A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Sasidharan Manjima , Keluskar Vaishali K. , Bagewadi Anjana S. , Patil Santosh D.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Oral submucous fibrosis (OMFS) is a chronic progressive, potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings, and normally, biopsy is not performed as it can result in scarring and worsening of the condition. The prognosis of the treatment is judged by clinical assessment, and it can vary among clinicians. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique used in diagnostic imaging for many decades, including oral and maxillofacial pathologies.

Aim and Objective:

The present study aimed to compare the oral submucosal thickness in OSMF patients before and after treatment using ultrasonography.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty OSMF patients were selected and recalled biweekly for two months for injecting dexamethasone and hyaluronidase intralesional injections. Each patient was subjected to ultrasonographic evaluation of oral mucosa before and at the end of treatment. Pre- and post-treatment ultrasonographic thickness of oral submucosa was compared using paired t-test.

Result:

The inference of the present study showed a reduction in the thickness of oral submucosa after treatment in OSMF. The decrease in thickness of the submucosa was statistically significant (p-value < 0.00), and also, there was a correlation between mouth opening and ultrasonographic measurements of the submucosa.

Conclusion:

Hence, ultrasonography can be used as a non-invasive tool for evaluating OSMF by comparing the change in the thickness of submucosa before and after treatment.
“Fruit In A Tooth” - A Rare Non - Syndromic Anomaly - 2 Rare Case Reports with a Genetic Analysis
Authors: Murugan Arul Jothi , Anuradha G , Kannan A , Lakshmi Krithika Chandrasekar
Published: December 2022

Tooth agenesis is one of the most common developmental anomalies affecting function and aesthetics. Genetic mutations cause non-syndromic tooth agenesis and involve the interaction of genes of tooth epithelium and mesenchyme odontogenesis. This article is the first in the literature to present non-syndromic cases of two siblings reported with mulberry molars, morphological changes in teeth (hypodontia and microdontia), and a genetic study performed to substantiate the involvement of Paired box gene 9 in tooth agenesis and morphogenesis.
Study the effect of genistein on reproductive functions in male diabetic rats
Authors: El Hefny Amer Omnia A.M. , Mohamed Abouda Hossam El-Din , El-Saka Mervat H. , Al-Ghareeb Mahmoud A.H.
Published: December 2022

Background

Diabetes mellitus impairs the reproduction functions through induction of oxidative stress. Genistein is a nonsteroidal estrogenic isoflavone that has been found in plants as soybean. It has controversial effects on male reproductive functions.

Aim

This study was designed to explore the effect of genistein on reproductive function in male diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Fifty adult male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups: control group, diabetic control group, diabetic treated with genistein 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (Gen10) group, diabetic treated with genistein 50 mg/kg (Gen50) group, and diabetic treated with genistein 100 mg/kg (Gen100) group. At the end of the experiment, body weight and food intake were determined. The collected blood samples were used for determination of serum glucose, insulin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels. Also, sperm count, viability, motility, and testicular weight were determined. In addition, testicular caspase-3, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were determined.

Results

In the diabetic group, there was significant deterioration of the studied parameters. All the studied parameters in Gen50 and Gen100 groups were significantly improved as compared with the Gen10 group.

Conclusion

Genistein ameliorated the reproductive dysfunction in diabetic male rats through improving glycemic state, insulin secretion, in addition to its antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effect on testicular tissue.
The value of epidural volume extension in hip surgeries using combined spinal epidural anesthesia
Authors: Elgebaly Mahmoud T. , Yousef Ayman A.A. , Abd El Hafez Ahmed A.A. , El Mawy Mohamad G.
Published: December 2022

Background

Regional anesthesia has an advantage over general anesthesia, as it is a simple, effective block, economical, and safe.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of epidural volume extension (EVE) on sensory and motor blockade in patients undergoing hip surgeries using combined spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia.

Patients and methods

This study was carried out on 90 adult patients of both sexes with physical status American Society of Anestheologists I–II–III scheduled for hip surgeries and admitted at Tanta University Hospitals in the Orthopedic Department.

Results

In this study, 90 patients were randomly allocated into two groups (45 patients in each one): group I: received CSE only. Group II: received CSE with EVE. We found that intraoperative arterial blood pressure decreased significantly in group I than group II at 135 min (P≤0.001), intraoperative heart rate showed a significant increase in group I than group II at 135 min (P=0.022), significantly, a higher number of patients in group II reached a higher level of sensory blockade than group I, the duration of sensory and motor block showed a significant decrease in group I than group II (P<0.001), time for maximum sensory and motor block showed a significant increase in group I than group II (P<0.001), two-segment regression time and time to recover from motor block showed a significant decrease in group I than group II (P=0.028, P<0.001, respectively), and an insignificant difference between both groups as regarding to adverse effects.

Conclusions

CSE anesthesia with EVE is superior to CSE alone in hip surgeries as regarding to duration, level of motor and sensory block with slight affection of hemodynamic status, and indifferent as regarding to postoperative adverse effects.