bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning Environment for Supporting Undergraduate Online Distance Education Students
Authors: Amponsah Samual , Badu-Nyarko Samual Kofi , Obodai Godfred Alfred Nii Sai , Anane Prince
Published: July 2019

The University of Ghana adopted the use of the Sakai Learning Management System to create an online environment for its DE students. Based on which, this study sought to examine the support provided for online students of the University of Ghana. The study further sought to determine the association between selected demographic characteristics and student satisfaction with online pre-admission processes, usage of online learning tools, and online social environment. In total, 126 questionnaires were completed and analyzed to generate frequencies, percentages, Anova, and chi-square values. It was established that weak online learning social environment does not encourage tutors and students' interactions, which led to a generally average use of online learning support tools. This implies that academic and administrative support were practically far away from the student, which is detrimental to the development of self-directed learning. The researchers recommended training for support staff, tutors, and students to create an effective online support for online distance students.
Review Environmental Implications of Incineration of Municipal Solid Waste and Ash Disposal
Authors: Sapna  , Raghav Sapna , Kumar Dinesh
Published: July 2019

Rapid consumption of resources produces municipal solid wastes (MSW) in developing countries at the present time. MSW comprises the various kinds of waste present at different levels such as household products, industrial waste, biomedical waste, pesticides, sanitation residue, agriculture residue, building material waste, and so forth. The presence of solid waste in the water system is very hazardous and can cause severe health diseases in the human body such as dermatological disorder, respiratory infections, eye and blood infections, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, amoebic dysentery, anthrax, and so forth. Due to incineration of waste materials, the remaining ash is dumped into the water system so the amount of free oxygen in the water is diminished, which results in the death of fishes, beneficial bacteria, and worms, which play an important role in the fertility of the soil. This chapter reviews the challenges, methods, technologies, barriers, and opportunities associated with improving waste management worldwide.
Marine Plastic Debris
Authors: Cordova Muhammad Reza
Published: July 2019

Marine pollution due to littering from anthropogenic activities is a serious global environmental problem—the main reason accumulation of debris in the environment, including in the ocean. There is a significant hazard coming from plastic debris. Besides entanglement and ingestion, marine plastics debris has more complex problems and can release additional and by-product chemical substances. If we keep producing and not doing anything, a recent study said by 2050 there would be three times more plastic than fish in the ocean. We only have a limited understanding of marine plastic debris distribution, implication, fate, and behavior. Science is the key to getting the right alternative for processing debris. To prevent marine pollution successfully requires education and outreach programs, strong laws and policies, and law enforcement for government and private institutions. This chapter explores marine plastic debris.
Plastic Pollution and Its Impact on Aquatic Fauna
Authors: Bakhtiyar Yahya , Andrabi Saima , Arafat Mohammad Yasir , Tak Hamid Iqbal
Published: July 2019

Plastic pollution is the buildup of unwanted plastic products in the environment by its abundant and limitless use by a greedy human population in various ways. Plastics are usually made of chains of monomer units of ethylene and propylene linked together. Plastics are durable and resistant to degradation and tend to accumulate where they are disposed. One more disaster this material causes is the release of toxic chemicals with time which badly affects the ecosystem where it is dumped. Same is the case with aquatic ecosystem, because tons of plastic wastes are dumped into it in one way or the other. The major threats of this menace on aquatic ecosystem include ocean acidification, degradation of water quality, increase in number of invasive species, overfishing, pollution and choking of water bodies, habitat degradation, loss of aesthetic value, blocking of sea routes, and above all, it badly affects plant and animal life there.
Association between Urinary Bisphenol A Concentration and Obesity Prevalence in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Mir Sajad Hussain , Baddar Attiya
Published: July 2019

Bisphenol A is an organic compound that serves as a building block of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Being the world's highest-volume chemicals in use today in the form of medical devices, water and infant bottles, food cans, kitchen utensils, water supply pipes, compact devices, etc., this compound—after gaining an access to the body of an individual by way of leaching into food and water supplies—acts as an obesogen and disrupts the body weight regulation by either promoting adipogenesis or triggering the differentiation of fibroblasts into adipocytes. The other adverse effects of bisphenol A include insulin resistance, adipocyte differentiation or aromatase-mediated transformation of androgen into estrogen, cardiovascular diseases, liver function abnormalities, alterations in the circulating thyroid hormone levels, association with diabetes and carcinogenic effect. Its other aspects on health individually as well as in combination with other chemicals are worth mentioning.
Challenges and Factors in Plastics Reutilization/Recycling
Authors: Tomar Vaishali , Dhillon Ankita , Kumar Dinesh
Published: July 2019

Plastics are used worldwide due to the low price, lightweight, and long-lasting availability. It can be molded into different products. Therefore, the invention of plastics has been increased significantly over the last 50-60 years. Several environmental problems are generating due to plastics used across the world. This kind of observation indicates that plastics are not sustainable. It is accumulating in landfills and natural locales due to the stability of the polymers involved. This chapter discusses the structure and uses of plastics. Plastics recycling is a very challenging duty in waste management. This chapter explores the factors affecting the plastic recycling in detail. This chapter also explores the plastic recycling methods and challenges during plastic recycling and deliberates more briefly how the government sector is working to clean most of the plastic waste from landfills to recycling over the next periods. In the last, this chapter highlights the plastic effects on the environment and how we can use again through recycling.
Biodegradation of Plastic
Authors: Singh Shalini , Rawat Pushkar Singh
Published: July 2019

The use of plastics is increasing gradually, and its degradation is becoming a great threat for society. This chapter raises a question in front of us: Ultimately, how can we balance our needs and safety? Therefore, a term biodegradation is frequently used to explain the ability of microorganism to degrade the organic substance. The chapter would deliver the importance of biodegradation of plastic products, which is a rapidly growing field and offers a new dimension solution with novel properties in waste management areas. Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes have developed a special strategy in order to use such materials as energy and carbon source. Biodegradation is the most economic, eco-friendly, and acceptable method. But the detailed characterization of efficient plastic-degrading microbes and microbial enzymes still needs to be carried out. The chapter would also provide a better understanding related to the biodegradation of plastic products that enhances the horizon of knowledge.
Impact of E-Commerce on the Urban Landscape
Authors: Somasundram Sotheeswari
Published: July 2019

Consumers in large cities are projected to contribute 81% to global consumption in 2030 with B2C e-commerce sales growth projected to increase globally by 24% in 2020. The inquiry of the present study is to understand the impact of this growth on the urban landscape. Three key areas influenced by e-commerce which in turn impact the urban landscape, city logistics, warehousing, and retail experience. Rising home deliveries impact city logistics where delivery trucks contribute to traffic congestion and environmental hazards. E-commerce influences locational demand for warehouses differently, depending on the section of the logistic chain. The positive gains include reduced damage to road infrastructures and higher valuation of logistics real estate in urban areas. The final area, retail experience, influences the sustainability of malls in urban areas. Malls in urban centers could remain relevant by reconfiguring retail spaces to accommodate temporary guide stores and pop-up stores instead of anchor tenants.
Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Communities
Authors: Ali Isahaque , Shaik Rameeja , Maruthi A. Y.  , Azman Azlinda , Singh Paramjit , Bala Jeremiah David , Adeleke A. O.  , Rafatullah Mohd , Ismail Norli , Ahmad Akil , Hossain Kaizar
Published: July 2019

Earth and coastal ecosystems are not static, and they usually respond to environmental changes, mostly anthropogenic and climatic. Here, the authors described natural values, coastal landforms, and types of infrastructure that are most likely to be affected by climate change (CC) and provide information for assessing inundation, erosion, and recession risks for a chosen location. In this chapter, the authors focused on the land uses, the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure, and argued for effective linkages between CC issues and development planning. They also recommended the incorporation of CC impact and risk assessment into long-term national development strategies. Policies will be presented to implement these recommendations for adaptation to climate variability and global CC. The authors provide general recommendations and identify challenges for the incorporation of climate change impacts and risk assessment into long-term land-use national development plans and strategies. Overall, this chapter provides an overview of the implications for CC to coastal management.
General Review of Calibration Process of Nonlinear Muskingum Model and Its Optimization by Up-to-Date Methods
Authors: Kırdemir Umut , Okkan Umut
Published: July 2019

Nonlinear Muskingum method is a very efficient tool in flood routing implementation. It is possible to estimate an outflow hydrograph by a given inflow hydrograph of a flood at a specific point of the river channel. However, it turns out an optimization problem at the stage of employing this method, and it becomes important to reach the optimal model parameters so as to obtain precise outflow hydrograph estimations. Hence, it was decided to utilize five up-to-date optimization algorithms, namely, vortex search algorithm (VSA), gases brownian motion algorithm (GBMO), water cycle algorithm (WCA), flower pollination algorithm (FPA), and colliding bodies optimization (CBO). The algorithms were integrated with the nonlinear Muskingum model so as to estimate the outflow hydrograph of Wilson data, and it was deduced that WCA, FPA, and VSA perform relatively better than the models employed in the other researches before.
Flood Modelling and Mapping
Authors: Brema J.
Published: July 2019

This chapter presents an overview of the important concepts related to flood hazard assessments and explores the use of remote sensing data from satellites to supplement traditional assessment techniques. The method presented in this chapter can be used in sectoral planning activities and integrated planning studies and for damage assessment. The chapter presents the application of flood modelling to the study area. The study area, Adyar River in Chennai, has experienced major floods in the past decade which is attributed to increased urbanization. The hydrologic model for the Adyar River Basin was set up using HEC geoHMS and was run and calibrated using observed flow in HEC-HMS. The chapter also discusses the results obtained from the IDF analysis and its application in HEC HMS to generate hypothetical storm hydrographs. Furthermore, the chapter goes on to discuss the results obtained from the hydraulic modelling such as the inundation map for the 2005 flood event and the inundation map for hypothetical storms of varying return periods.
Quantification and Evaluation of Water Erosion
Authors: Ben Salem Souad , Ben Salem Abdelkrim , Karmaoui Ahmed , Yacoubi Mohammed Khebiza , Messouli Mohammed
Published: July 2019

The Ziz Watershed is located in the arid zones of South-Eastern Morocco and belongs to the large basin of Ziz-Rheris. In this basin, floods are related to natural factors and mainly to the occupation of the hydraulic public domain and the human intervention on the courses of the rivers. Increases in sediment yield are observed in many places in the Ziz, dramatically affecting water quality and reservoir management. In order to map overland sediment generation and delivery to the stream (studying the service of sediment retention), the InVEST sediment delivery ratio (SDR) model was applied. The sedimentation analysis in the Hassan Dakhil Dam, located in this watershed, shows that there is a very important erosion rate. The proof is the rapid filling of the dam. This is due to the transport of sediments in the rivers. If this situation continues at the current rate, the dam will no longer be fully operational for irrigation by 2050.
Climate Change-Induced Flood Disaster Policy Communication Issues for Local Community Adaptation Resilience Management in Uganda
Authors: Okaka Wilson Truman
Published: July 2019

Effective climate change and disaster policy communication services are vital for enhancing the adaptive resilience capacity of the vulnerable local communities in poor countries like Uganda. This chapter focuses on the effectiveness of the Ugandan national climate change and disaster policy information communication strategies in addressing national flooding disaster risks, highlights the recent trends of knowledge based responses to climate change induced floods, assesses the impact of the flood on the socio-economic well-being of local households and communities, and determines the vulnerability issues with corresponding adaptation strategies to floods in the flood prone country. Climate change flood risks have continued to exact huge socio-economic loss and damage effects due to the vulnerability and weak adaptation strategies to floods. The national meteorological services tend to forecast seasonal flood events; some flood forcing factors; and the impact of floods on social, economic, ecological, and physical infrastructure are on the rise in some parts of the country.
Environmental Hazards Assessment at Pre-Saharan Local Scale
Authors: Karmaoui Ahmed , Moumane Adil , Akchbab Jamal
Published: July 2019

Ecosystem management requires biophysical and socio-economic measurement. The intervention of the government and the local community in order to combat the degradation of ecosystems must take into account the effects of the environmental hazards. This can reinforce the inhabitants' ability to adapt at local level. The impact on ecosystem and resources are numerous and complex. Consequently, a multidisciplinary evaluation is needed. In this context, a new approach was proposed, called environmental hazards assessment at local scale. It was used to evaluate the risk of several oasis resources to multiple hazards in the Middle Draa Valley. The findings show that for all resources, desertification is the biggest challenge affecting this area followed by drought, sandstorms, and then floods. This risk assessment approach can provide guidance for future assessments.
Vulnerability of Forest Vegetation Due to Anthropogenic Disturbances in Western Himalayan Region of India
Authors: Akash  , Navneet  , Bhandari Bhupendra Singh , Bijlwan Kamal
Published: July 2019

The Western Himalayan zone of India is not only threatened by rapid climatic changes, natural floods, and fires, but also by anthropogenic activities. Himalayan forests are vulnerable due to climatic changes and faced severe ecological deterioration due to anthropogenic pressures. The degradation of forests due to anthropogenic disturbances is increasing because of overgrowth of population, high poverty ratio, as well as the limitations of alternative livelihood options. Further resources from forest makes it inseparable to manage forest stands without considering the importance of socio-economic status and ecological aspects of forest management to the well-being of local communities. Therefore, the Himalayan forests and the communities depending on forests should be seen as a part of an evolving. This chapter will explore the vulnerability of the knowledge towards Western Himalayan forests and community-based management of forests. Additionally, it will sketch potential sites affected through anthropogenic pressures.
RFID Tag Collision Problem in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Pal Kamalendu
Published: July 2019

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has attracted a huge attention from the supply chain business community. This is due to the use of RFID technology wide range of applications in the fields of logistics and supply chain management. This paper presents a brief overview of a simple industrial RFID system and then describe the basic concept of tag collision problem. Despite many useful applications, the RFID tag collision creates a major problem for fast tag identification process. There are different algorithmic solutions available to overcome tag collision problem in industrial supply chains. Based on binary search algorithm (BSA) of dynamic and backtracking, two variations of binary anti-collision search algorithms for tag identification processes are described in this paper. Simulation-based experimental results on the performance of these algorithms are evaluated when handling multiple RFID tags simultaneously. The backtracking binary search algorithm has obvious advantages in terms of tag identification process compared to the other two algorithms.
A Novel Convolutional Neural Network Based Localization System for Monocular Images
Authors: Sun Chen , Li Chunping , Zhu Yan
Published: July 2019

The authors present a robust and extendable localization system for monocular images. To have both robustness toward noise factors and extendibility to unfamiliar scenes simultaneously, our system combines traditional content-based image retrieval structure with CNN feature extraction model to localize monocular images. The core model of the system is a deep CNN feature extraction model. The feature extraction model can map an image to a d-dimension space where image pairs in the real word have smaller Euclidean distances. The feature extraction model is achieved using a deep Convnet modified from GoogLeNet. A special way to train the feature extraction model is proposed in the article using localization results from Cambridge Landmarks dataset. Through experiments, it is shown that the system is robust to noise factors supported by high level CNN features. Furthermore, the authors show that the system has a powerful extendibility to other unfamiliar scenes supported by a feature extract model's generic property and structure.
The spoken (he)art of strategy: A metaphor analysis of the strategy discourse of 10 South African business executives
Authors: Foster-Pedley J. , Bond D. , Brown R.
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates the importance of metaphor in strategy in several ways. Firstly it considers the problematic nature of ‘strategy’ itself. Next, it outlines some views on how metaphor is used in strategy discourse, with particular emphasis on innovation, emergent processes and sense-making. It is then proposed that not only is metaphor useful in describing or making sense of strategy, but it is also central to ‘doing’ strategy - that strategy is, in important ways, metaphoric.This paper explores the proposition that research methods based on metaphor analysis can provide fundamental and useful insights into how business strategy is performed and understood. It also raises questions about the way strategy is taught. A description follows providing the results of research carried out on ten senior business executives in South Africa. A number of conclusions are derived from this research:(i) metaphor, which is useful in communicating ideas and meanings, appears to emerge as required to emphasize, construct new meaning and persuade rather than as a tool to support any particular dominant interest(ii) metaphor opens up paradoxical space(iii) metaphor is fundamental in articulating strategy(iv) speakers were generally not aware of their use of metaphor, in spite of a frequent richness of metaphor use(v) when the speakers were made aware of their use of metaphor, they were less able to engage in further discussion using metaphor and(vi) when ceasing to use metaphor, they seemed less able to engage in discussion and thought about strategy.Finally, some questions are raised from a more ‘critical’ perspective. The critical analysis in our paper tests a synthesis of the analytical frameworks of Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and Fairclough (1989;1992b) to see what can be 'surfaced’ through this type of metaphor analysis, and consider what implications there may be for management education.Ultimately, the heart of strategy may lie in the art of sense-making and creativity via discourse and conversation. Part of this spoken art lives in and by metaphor, which lightens and eases the paths to new understandings, new directions and to new configurations of individuals, firms and markets.
Building capacity for their members: What employers’ organisations in South Africa need to know
Authors: Grobler P. A. , Kirsten M. , Wärnich S.
Published: July 2019

According to Chapter 2 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, employers, like trade unions, have a right to freedom of association. However, hardly any research has been conducted to establish the efficiency/effectiveness of employers’ organisations. The question thus is: To what extent do members (companies) make use of the services rendered by their employers’ organisations, and how satisfied are they with the service provided? From this study it is clear that a small percentage of companies avail themselves of the services of employers’ organisations. Popular areas of contact appear to be human resource management, labour relations and training. A number of problems in the area of client satisfaction have been identified and recommendations are made to increase the efficiency/effectiveness of employers’ organisations. It is clear that despite the limited use of their services, employers’ organisations continue to fulfil a key role in the labour dispensation in South Africa.
The role of managed healthcare in the South African context: A systemic approach
Authors: Hugo P. F. , Loubser S. S.
Published: July 2019

Managed healthcare, in the context of this study, is defined as a series of management interventions in the healthcare supply chain, aimed at promoting appropriate and necessary care at a cost which is affordable to the consumer. It has evolved precisely because the healthcare supply chain is inefficient, too costly to be affordable to the majority of consumers in South Africa. Since managed healthcare represents a collection of interventions it is probable that these interventions will provoke responses which either support or counter the objectives of the intervening parties. The study focuses on trends which can be quantified in order to demonstrate this process, as well as on qualitative responses from role-players within the system, in order to explain behavioural changes that give rise to these trends.Managed healthcare is a management tool that is used in the private healthcare environment to manage the provision of care. In the past it was based on retrospective intervention and had cost containment as its main focus. Managed healthcare aims to address efficiency and quality of care but has yet to demonstrate measurable outcomes that would significantly impact on its WHO ratings. However, little attention is paid to the relationships and structure of the system within which care is provided and the dynamics that exist between and amongst role-players. The extent to which these relationships have an effect on the outcomes of the Private Healthcare Delivery System in South Africa is a relative unknown quantity. This article describes the research process which endeavours to develop a systemic approach to understand the current challenges in the PHDS better in order to optimise the outcome of it.
Capital structure and the firm’s life stage
Authors: Frielinghaus A. , Mostert B. , Firer C.
Published: July 2019

In this paper we argue the case for a relationship between capital structure and a firm’s life stage. We provide an overview of the two sets of theories and follow this with a proposed linkage between the life stage and capital structure. We use the Adizes life stage model to assess the life stage of the firms in our sample. Our pilot study found a statistically significant relationship between life stage and the capital structure of respondents. The nature of the relationship (more debt in the early and late life stages than in prime) supports the pecking order theory of capital structure and suggests a practical use of the life stage model in helping firms to understand how their financing is likely to change over time.
Information systems environmental alignment and business performance: A case study
Authors: Garg A. K. , Joubert R. J.O. , Pellissier R.
Published: July 2019

The studies to establish the relationship between the external environment and business performance have not produced any conclusive results. Moreover, the field combining environmental uncertainty, information systems (IS) strategy and business performance has not been well explored. Considering the gap in current research, this study conceptualises an information systems environmental alignment model. The model analysed the extent of support provided by IS strategy in the assessment of environmental uncertainty and also examined the impact of IS environmental alignment on business performance. Based on empirical data collected by means of a questionnaire from 22 commercial banks in South Africa (covering more than 90% of the commercial banking sector) and using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique, the study validated the IS environmental alignment model and found that banks were using IS support to assess the external environment of business. The results suggest that it is not the IS support or investment in information technology (IT) that impacts on business performance, but rather the effective use of IS support in meeting the information needs of the organisation. The study also found that profitability still remains the key measure of business performance in the banking sector in South Africa. These findings have major implications for IT investment by banks, and for the implementation of IS strategy and general investment in the banking sector. IS environmental alignment is becoming extremely important for business because of the substantial investment in IT and the uncertainty of the business environment.
The relationship between strategic process dimensions and organisational output performance: A South African investigation in relation to global best practices
Authors: Oosthuizen H.
Published: July 2019

Strategic management is concerned with the foundations of sustainable superior output performance. In this regard two divergent, but complementary research traditions exist; one is rooted in micro-economics and is commonly referred to as the ‘hard’ aspects of strategy, whilst the other focuses on social-people aspects, commonly known as the ‘soft’ aspects of strategy. In emerging countries in Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa the soft aspects have been emphasised in research with very little attention afforded to the hard process-behaviour of strategy.This paper contributes to an understanding and assessment of strategic process behaviour in South Africa. It firstly establishes a global best practices framework which provides for different contextual environments. This framework then serves as a benchmark for the empirical findings of a survey amongst South African manufacturing organisations.The research concludes that South African organisations achieving above-average output performance are those that closely reflect the profile of the global best practices framework. One core dimension of the strategic process, namely Implementation, was statistically found to be significantly related to above-average output performance. Aspects relating to innovative behaviour also displayed a statistical predictive ability towards above-average output performance.Finally, it is considered that the survey findings suggest an increasingly global context for South Africa and consequently the successful transfer (positive spillover) of strategic management knowledge from the developed to the developing world.Various research gap-areas were identified and need to be explored.
Análise multitemporal de parte da Reserva do Alto Rio Guamá, Paragominas, PA
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Soares da , Barbosa Carlinny Oliveira , Monteiro Fábio Gomes , Correa Denison Lima , Gomes Adriano Da Silva
Published: July 2019

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar mudanças na cobertura vegetal de parte da Reserva do Alto Rio Guamá em Paragominas, PA, por meio de índices de vegetação, visando elaborar um panorama multitemporal da degradação ambiental. As imagens foram obtidas da base do INPE e a aquisição de bases vetoriais na base do IBGE. O processamento de imagens foi realizado com o programa ENVI 4.7, onde se utilizou as bandas R5, G4 e B3 para as imagens de 1991 e 2010 e as bandas 6R, 5G e 4B para a imagem de 2016. Foi realizada a reprojeção, recorte por máscara e retificação geométrica por pontos de controle. A classificação do índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI) considerou as classes água, sem vegetação, gramíneas, capoeira, floresta secundária e floresta densa, para gerar os índices por área (ha). No intervalo de aproximadamente 25 anos houve redução da cobertura florestal, possivelmente pela expansão de atividades agropecuárias e extração de madeira.
Incidence and Demographics of Cervical Spine Fractures over a 10 Year Period at a Level I Trauma Center
Authors: Miller Christopher P , Blizzard Sonya T , Grauer Jonathan N
Published: July 2019

Background

In an effort to capture all cervical fractures in the trauma setting, many institutions have implemented protocols for urgent cervical computed tomographic (CT) imaging for any patient with traumatic neck pain. This has led to a high frequency of negative imaging studies.

Objectives

The objective is to characterize a consecutive series of cervical spine fractures diagnosed at a single Level I trauma center over a 10-year period. It is expected that a greater awareness of the associations between age, injury mechanism, and fracture type may facilitate the diagnosis and management of patients with cervical spine trauma.

Methods

In this study, every cervical CT scan ordered in the Emergency Department (ED) at our institution was reviewed and evaluated for fractures. The relevant demographic data and mechanism of injury for patients with fractures were recorded.

Results

Of 763,099 ED visits, 13,896 cervical CT scans were ordered (1.8% of visits) and 492 scans (3.5% of scans, 0.06% of visits) were found to have cervical fractures resulting from blunt trauma. There was a bimodal distribution of fractures with respect to age, with peaks at 20 to 24 and >85 years of age. These age ranges were also found to have higher incidence of fracture than would be predicted by population alone. Fractures in younger patients resulted from high-energy trauma and fractures in older patients resulted primarily from falls.

Conclusion

This elucidation of epidemiology and mechanism of cervical fractures can be used to improve the rapidity of diagnosis and management of these potentially devastating injuries.

Blizzard DJ, Miller CP, Blizzard ST, Grauer JN. Incidence and Demographics of Cervical Spine Fractures over a 10 Year Period at a Level I Trauma Center. The Duke Orthop J 2016;6(1):21-25.
Effect of 5% Calcium Hypochlorite on Mechanical Properties of Root Dentin: An in vitro Study
Authors: Velmurugan Natanasabapathy , Reddy Poornima , Balla Suma , Raghu Sandhya S , Gupta Garlapati T , Sahoo Hrudi S
Published: July 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the effect of 5% calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of root dentin.

Materials and methods

The available chlorine concentration of each solution was determined using iodometric titration. Standardized planoparallel dentin bars (n= 20) were divided into two test groups and one control group. The control, group 1, consisted of dentin bars stored in normal saline. The dentin bars in the two test groups were treated by exposure to following solutions: Group 2 to 5% Ca(OCl)2; and group 3 to 5% NaOCl. All the three test solutions were changed once in 15 minutes for 30 minutes. The dentin bars were then loaded to failure using three-point bend test.

Results

Available chlorine concentration was 64% in both the test solutions. There was a significant reduction in the flexural strength of 5% NaOCl group compared to 5% Ca(OCl)2-treated ones. A significant difference in modulus of elasticity was observed between the test groups and the control groups and also between the 5% Ca(OCl)2 and 5% NaOCl groups.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, 5% NaOCl reduced the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of root dentin bars more when compared to 5% Ca(OCl)2.

How to cite this article

Reddy P, Balla S, Raghu SS, Velmurugan N, Gupta GT, Sahoo HS. Effect of 5% Calcium Hypochlorite on Mechanical Properties of Root Dentin: An in vitro Study. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):56-59.
Endodontic Management of a Three-rooted Mandibular First Premolar associated with Taurodontism
Authors: Wadekar Swati Ishwar , Shah Dipali Yogesh , Shah Jimish Rajiv , Gathani Kinjal Mahesh
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Taurodontism is a morpho-anatomic variation in tooth anatomy that rarely affects mandibular premolars. Literature is replete with mandibular first premolars presenting atypical additional root canals, but concurrent presence of three roots and taurodontism is exceptional.

Materials and methods

This case report describes the successful endodontic diagnosis and management of a rare case of taurodontism in a mandibular first premolar with chronic apical periodontitis. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) facilitated the diagnosis of three roots and root canals associated with concurrent taurodontism. The taurodont premolar required exceptional and diligent care in each segment of endodontic treatment for the complex root canal system.

Results

Taurodontism-affected premolars present with challenges in endodontic therapy as they have apically displaced pulp chambers with limited width. Cone beam computed tomography and dental operating microscope can facilitate evaluation for teeth with such complex anatomy and their successful endodontic management.

How to cite this article

Wadekar SI, Shah DY, Shah JR, Gathani KM. Endodontic Management of a Three-rooted Mandibular First Premolar associated with Taurodontism. J Oper Dent Endod 2016;1(2):90-92.
Cystatin C is a Better Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Hypertensive Pregnancies
Authors: Ranjan Rajeev , Singh Anjana
Published: July 2019

Background

Glomerular endotheliosis is an essential component in the pathophysiology of gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE) which results in renal dysfunction. This is not always detected by routine renal function tests, such as serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Cystatin C, an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, is completely absorbed by renal tubules and has been shown to be an ideal marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which needs to be evaluated in assessing renal dysfunction occurring in GH and PE.

Aims

The present study is designed to evaluate serum cystatin C levels in normal pregnancy, GH, and PE and compare its efficacy with traditional renal function tests.

Materials and methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 75 subjects enrolled, comprised of 25 subjects each of normal pregnancy, GH, and PE. Serum cystatin C, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and urinary protein/creatinine ratio were estimated in all subjects prior to delivery.

Results

All renal parameters including cystatin C were significantly raised in GH and PE compared with control group. However, only serum cystatin C level (and no other renal parameters) was significantly higher in PE group compared with GH group. Area under the curve for cystatin C was maximum (0.917) compared with other parameters. Cystatin C had a higher sensitivity and specificity than other conventional markers.

Conclusion

Serum cystatin C is a better marker of renal dysfunction in hypertensive pregnancies.

How to cite this article

Singh A, Gupta M, Ranjan R, Saini V, Gupta SK. Cystatin C is a Better Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Hypertensive Pregnancies. Indian J Med Biochem 2016; 20(1):21-27.
Role of Hormones in Unexplained Infertility
Authors: Ekka Dipti C
Published: July 2019

Unexplained infertility is a term applied to an infertile couple whose standard infertility investigations and workup are normal. The aim of the study is to assess the role of hormones in women with unexplained infertility. The female reproductive system is regulated by a balanced hormonal interaction between the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and ovaries. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are important for ovulation and stimulation of secretion of estradiol and progesterone from the ovaries. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an important marker to predict the ovarian reserve. The primary function of the ovary is the production of a mature and viable oocyte capable of fertilization, embryo development, and implantation. Fifty women diagnosed with unexplained infertility were enrolled as cases. These were age matched with 50 healthy fertile women volunteers. Body mass index (BMI) was found to be significantly higher in women with unexplained infertility. Serum FSH, LH, and estradiol were significantly higher in cases. LH:FSH ratio and serum AMH were significantly lower in cases as compared to controls. To conclude, serum AMH, FSH, and LH:FSH ratio indicated poor ovarian reserve in women with unexplained infertility.

How to cite this article

Ekka DC, Jain A, Puri M. Role of Hormones in Unexplained Infertility. Indian J Med Biochem 2016;20(1):34-37.
Methotrexate-induced Pulmonary Toxicity Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia: A Rare Entity
Authors: Bhardwaj Gaurav , Jain Vikram Kumar , Sharma Anubhav , Maan Lokesh
Published: July 2019

Methotrexate is one of the most widely used broad-spectrum immunomodulator. It can be used as a primary option or as in combination of drugs in various immunological conditions. Generally, it is safe when use in lower dosages. However, a clinician has to be alert regarding some of its less common but toxic side-effects. Here, we discuss a rare case who developed methotrexate-induced pulmonary toxicity.

How to cite this article

Mishra M, Jain VK, Sharma A, Bhardwaj G, Maan L. Methotrexate-induced Pulmonary Toxicity Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia: A Rare Entity. J Mahatma Gandhi Univ Med Sci Tech 2016;1(2):64-65.
Association of Hyperuricemia and Urinary Albumin Excretion with Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Yogi Jai P , Semar Anita
Published: July 2019

Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Long-standing diabetes and a poor glycemic control are the major factors which contribute to the development of various microvascular complications of diabetes. Microvascular changes in kidneys lead to microalbuminuria, which may further lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) if left untreated. Elevated serum uric acid level has been recognized as a marker of endothelial dysfunction which contributes to the development of microvascular changes in various organs. The main objective of the present study was to assess the association of serum uric acid and urine microalbumin levels with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in type II DM patients. One hundred diagnosed cases of type II DM were enrolled for the study. Blood samples were collected and estimated for fasting blood sugar, serum uric acid, and HbA1c. Also, 24-hour urine samples were collected and analyzed for microalbumin. A positive association (r = 0.203) was observed between HbA1c and serum uric acid. The study also suggested a positive association between glycemic control and microalbuminuria (r = 0.237) in diabetic patients. A strong positive association was also observed between uric acid and urine microalbumin levels (r = 0.338). Findings of the study, therefore, recommend that development of microvascular complications in type II DM patients can be averted by adopting dietary control and healthy lifestyle changes. Strict glycemic control and lowering of serum uric acid levels can be helpful in minimizing the risk of developing nephropathy and its progression toward ESRD.

How to cite this article

Fiza B, Yogi JP, Choudhary J, Semar A, Sinha M. Association of Hyperuricemia and Urinary Albumin Excretion with Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus. J Mahatma Gandhi Univ Med Sci Tech 2017;2(1):1-6.
Bacterial Etiology of Otitis Media and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern among Patients coming to a Tertiary Care Hospital, Jaipur, India
Authors: Agrawal Mohit , Pandey Gunjan
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim of the study was to identify the microorganisms associated with the chronic discharging ears and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.

Materials and methods

A total of 251 samples of ear swabs were received at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Pus samples were taken from external auditory canal using sterile cotton swabs and then cultured on different microbiological media. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested and interpreted by method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standards.

Results

Out of 251 samples received, 135 (53.78%) samples had growth. The microbiology of these 135 samples was studied.Pseudomonas aeruginosawas the major organism isolated from 88 samples followed byStaphylococcus aureus(37), and other coliforms (10). Drug susceptibility ofP. aeruginosashowed that colistin was active against all isolates followed by piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem. Approximately 60%S. aureusisolates were methicillin-resistantS. aureus. Vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin were 100% sensitive.

Conclusion

From the current study, it was concluded thatP. aeruginosais the potential cause of ear-associated infections. All isolates ofP. aeruginosawere susceptible to colistin, andS. aureuswas susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin.

How to cite this article

Agrawal M, Gupta N, Pandey G. Bacterial Etiology of Otitis Media and their Antibiotic Susceptibi­lity Pattern among Patients coming to a Tertiary Care Hospital, Jaipur, India. J Mahatma Gandhi Univ Med Sci Tech 2017;2(1):7-9.
Variability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their oxidative derivatives in wintertime Beijing, China
Authors: Elzein Atallah , Dunmore Rachel E. , Ward Martyn W. , Hamilton Jacqueline F. , Lewis Alastair C.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Ambient particulate matter (PM) can contain a mix of
different toxic species derived from a wide variety of sources. This study
quantifies the diurnal variation and nocturnal abundance of 16 polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 10 oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) and 9 nitrated PAHs
(NPAHs) in ambient PM in central Beijing during winter. Target compounds
were identified and quantified using gas chromatography–time-of-flight
mass spectrometry (GC-Q-ToF-MS). The total concentration of PAHs varied
between 18 and 297 ng m−3 over 3 h daytime filter samples and from 23
to 165 ng m−3 in 15 h night-time samples. The total concentrations of
PAHs over 24 h varied between 37 and 180 ng m−3 (mean: 97±43 ng m−3).
The total daytime concentrations during high particulate loading
conditions for PAHs, OPAHs and NPAHs were 224, 54 and 2.3 ng m−3,
respectively. The most abundant PAHs were fluoranthene (33 ng m−3),
chrysene (27 ng m−3), pyrene (27 ng m−3), benzo[a]pyrene (27 ng m−3), benzo[b]fluoranthene (25 ng m−3), benzo[a]anthracene (20 ng m−3) and phenanthrene (18 ng m−3). The most abundant OPAHs were
9,10-anthraquinone (18 ng m−3), 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (14 ng m−3) and 9-fluorenone (12 ng m−3), and the three most abundant
NPAHs were 9-nitroanthracene (0.84 ng m−3), 3-nitrofluoranthene (0.78 ng m−3) and 3-nitrodibenzofuran (0.45 ng m−3). ∑PAHs and
∑OPAHs showed a strong positive correlation with the gas-phase
abundance of NO, CO, SO2 and HONO, indicating that PAHs and OPAHs can
be associated with both local and regional emissions. Diagnostic ratios
suggested emissions from traffic road and coal combustion were the
predominant sources of PAHs in Beijing and also revealed the main source
of NPAHs to be secondary photochemical formation rather than primary
emissions. PM2.5 and NPAHs showed a strong correlation with gas-phase
HONO. 9-Nitroanthracene appeared to undergo a photodegradation during the
daytime and showed a strong positive correlation with ambient HONO
(R=0.90, P < 0.001). The lifetime excess lung cancer risk for those
species that have available toxicological data (16 PAHs, 1 OPAH and 6 NPAHs)
was calculated to be in the range 10−5 to 10−3 (risk per million
people ranges from 26 to 2053 cases per year).
ESD Reviews: Climate feedbacks in the Earth system and prospects for their evaluation
Authors: Heinze Christoph , Eyring Veronika , Friedlingstein Pierre , Jones Colin , Balkanski Yves , Collins William , Fichefet Thierry , Gao Shuang , Hall Alex , Ivanova Detelina , Knorr Wolfgang , Knutti Reto , Löw Alexander , Ponater Michael , Schultz Martin G. , Schulz Michael , Siebesma Pier , Teixeira Joao , Tselioudis George , Vancoppenolle Martin
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Earth system models (ESMs) are key tools for providing climate
projections under different scenarios of human-induced forcing. ESMs include
a large number of additional processes and feedbacks such as biogeochemical
cycles that traditional physical climate models do not consider. Yet, some
processes such as cloud dynamics and ecosystem functional response still
have fairly high uncertainties. In this article, we present an overview of
climate feedbacks for Earth system components currently included in
state-of-the-art ESMs and discuss the challenges to evaluate and quantify
them. Uncertainties in feedback quantification arise from the
interdependencies of biogeochemical matter fluxes and physical properties,
the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of processes, and the lack of
long-term continuous observational data to constrain them. We present an
outlook for promising approaches that can help to quantify and to constrain the large number of feedbacks in ESMs in the future. The target group for
this article includes generalists with a background in natural sciences and
an interest in climate change as well as experts working in
interdisciplinary climate research (researchers, lecturers, and students).
This study updates and significantly expands upon the last comprehensive
overview of climate feedbacks in ESMs, which was produced 15 years ago (NRC,
2003).