bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical and clinical aspects of cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Authors:   Emergency Department, “Bagdasar Arseni” Clinical Emergency Hospital, ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Florestean Nelu Costel , Ciurea Alexandru Vladimir ,   Neurosurgical Clinic, “Bagdasar Arseni” Clinical Emergency Hospital, ”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: October 2022

This article describes the anatomical and clinical aspects of cerebral arteriovenous malformations which from the start won the role of an important cause of death or severe morbidity in the long term due to intracranial hemorrhage and secondary epilepsy. It is the second leading cause of aneurysms after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral arteriovenous malformations present a nidus fed by one or more nourishing arteries (“feeders”) with deep or superficial venous drainage. Symptoms are determined by the presence of seizures and intraparenchimatous and/ or subarachnoid bleeding. Progressive neurological deterioration can exist, which is attributed to ischemic disorders due to “vascular theft “. Also, it is described the grading system of arteriovenous malformations depending on size, eloquence and venous drainage by Spetzler-Martin system. Also described, a number of other scales with prognostic role and evaluation of the patient’s consciousness, but in was in 1988 when the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons proposed a simplified scale, based on clinical findings of Hunt and Hess scale, translated into GCS, WFNS grading scale SAH.
Clinical evolution of primary intramedullary tumors in adults
Authors:   Targu-Mures Neurosurgery Clinic, Targu-Mures, Romania, Balasa Adrian , Gherasim Dorin Nicolae ,   Targu-Mures Neurosurgery Clinic, Targu-Mures, Romania, Gherman Bogdan ,   Targu-Mures Neurosurgery Clinic, Targu-Mures, Romania
Published: October 2022

Objectives. The objectives of our clinical study are the evaluation of preoperatory myelic involvement and postoperative follow up, establishing in the mean time the interval and capacity of recovery for adults with primary intramedullary tumors. Material and method. Between January 2001 and December 2008, 14 adult patients diagnosed with intramedullary tumors representing 20,6% of all primary spinal tumors treated in Targu-Mures Neurosurgery Clinic, were studied. The majority of intramedullary tumors were represented by ependymomas (64.3%), followed in equal numbers by astrocytomas and hemangioblastomas (14.3% each) and a rare case of intramedullary epidermoid cyst. Each sign and symptom was monitored with the help of a grading scale going from 5 (asymptomatic patient) to 0 (paraplegia, total absence of functional capacity). Additionally, for monitoring the functional capacity outcome we used the Karnofsky score. The resulted quantitative data of our study was analysed using the T-student test. Results. The major signs of debut were spinal back pain (50%) and motor deficit (35%). The interval between disease debut and diagnostic was variable scaling from one month to 15 years with an average of 28.8 months ± 45.4 months. The clinical status was towards progressive neurological deterioration. At the diagnostic moment all patients presented motor deficit, 12 of them (86%) presented walking disorders, 64% presented sensory deficit and only 12% presented sphincter disturbances. Postoperative evolution was characterized by a transitory neurological deterioration in 57% of cases, the deterioration being recovered during the first 3 months in 75% of cases, in 25% of cases the neurological recovery to preoperatory status extended during a period of 6 months postoperatively. Beyond the interval of 3 months postoperatively, the neurological status was stationary. The main result of surgical intervention was maintenance of preoperative neurological status. Conclusions. The clinical evolution of primary intramedullary tumors in adults was towards progressive neurological deterioration and severe myelic involvement. The surgical intervention maintains rather than improves the preoperative neurological status thus early diagnosis and treatment of this pathology represent the major favorable prognostic factors.
Clinico-pathological correlations in malignant brain tumors
Authors:   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Stanca Diana , Zaharia Cornelia ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Tudorica Valerica ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Pirscoveanu Denisa ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Alexandru Oana ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Albu Carmen ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Neurology, Craiova, Romania, Craitoiu Stefania ,   University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Department of Histology, Craiova, Romania
Published: October 2022

Objective. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cognitive impairment in patients diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. Material and methods. We enrolled in our study 105 patients diagnosed with astrocytomas, hospitalized in the Clinic of Neurology between January 2006 and December 2010. Depending on the histology of the tumor, the study-group was composed of 19 cases diagnosed with diffuse astrocytomas, 13 cases with anaplastic astrocytomas and 73 cases with glioblastomas. Each patient was evaluated by neurological and neuro-imagistic exam (computed tomography and/or nuclear magnetic resonance). Each patient was evaluated in the term of disability using Karnofsky Performance Status, which is a scale commonly used in patients with cancer to quantify functional status. Presurgical cognitive functions of the patients were assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), The results were analyzed using Student’s T test and Chi-Squared test, considering statistically significant p<0.05. Results. In the terms of mean age, the statistical analysis didn’t show a significant difference between the three groups of patients. Also, we observed that the mean level of education in glioblastomas group was significantly lower than that of anaplastic astrocytomas. On MMSE, the average scores obtained by the patients were: 27.2 points in patients with diffuse astrocytomas, 26.7 points in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas and 25,1 points in patients with glioblastomas. On MoCA, the average scores were: 24.6 points in patients with diffuse astrocytomas, 24.2 points in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas and 21.8 points in patients with glioblastomas. Conclusion. In our study, the patients diagnosed with glioblastomas showed a statistically significant cognitive decline than the patients with diffuse astrocytomas or anaplastic astrocytomas, respectively. Between patients with grade II tumors and those diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytomas there were no statistically significant differences in terms of scores obtained from the assessment of cognitive functions.
Neck and brain vascular impairment in a group of patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors:   Neurology Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Nicolae Horia , Panea Cristina ,   Neurology Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Bajenaru Ovidiu ,   Neurology Department, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: October 2022

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an entity with proved involvement in cardiovascular pathology. We aim to highlight the existing type of cerebrovascular damage in a group of patients with MetS by comparison to the control group. Method. We analyzed 36 patients with MetS (defined according to NCEP:ATP III 2001 criteria) and a number of 25 subjects that represented the control group, aged between 40 and 67 years old, that had no personal history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. The subjects were clinically-neurologically and metabolically evaluated, as well as biochemical and haematologically explored. Neck and brain vascular impairment (IMT and atheromatous plaques measurement, cerebral vasoreactivity) was highlighted using cervical and transcranial neurosonology (including performing the apnea test). The obtained results were statistically processed. Results. Patients with MetS had higher average IMT than control (0.62 mm to 0.54 mm) as well as a higher percentage of atheromatous plaques 25% (9/36) when compared to the control group 20% (5/25). Cerebral vasoreactivity impairment was equal 52.8% (19/36) in MetS patients and 52% (13/25) in control group subjects. None of these differences was statistically significant. In patients with MetS the average IMT was correlated with the existence of atheromatous plaques (p = 0.023) and other associated risk factors like arterial hypertension & smoking (p = 0.018), dyslipidemia & obesity (p = 0.003), smoking & increased abdominal circumference (p = 0.049). For the control group the existence of atheromatous plaques was correlated with smoking status (p = 0.027). Conclusions. Even though the neck and brain vessels impairment was better expressed in the MetS patients group, there is no a statistically significant correlation. In MetS patients presence of different combinations of vascular risk factors determines strong associations with increased IMT.
Status epilepticus induced by hyponatremia as an adverse reaction to oxcarbazepine – case report
Authors:   Department of Neurology, “Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu, Romania, Roman-Filip Corina , Ungureanu Aurelian ,   Department of Neurology, Sibiu Clinical Emergency Hospital, Sibiu, Romania, Moraru Mariana ,   Department of Neurology, Sibiu Clinical Emergency Hospital, Sibiu, Romania, Radu Daniela ,   Department of Neurology, Sibiu Clinical Emergency Hospital, Sibiu, Romania, Grosu Florin ,   Department of Neurology, “Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu, Romania
Published: October 2022

We present a case of status epilepticus induced by hyponatremia as an adverse reaction to an antiepileptic drug. A 60 years old female was admitted to our department for partial seizures cluster activity with secondary generalization. The patient had a history of surgery for cerebral cavernoma with symptomatic epilepsy on treatment with levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine daily. Laboratory results revealed severe hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Thiopental induced coma under EEG monitoring stopped the seizure clusters. Metabolic disorders were taking in consideration and were excluded by appropriate investigations. As there were no other causes of hyponatremia, we concluded that it was an adverse event to oxcarbazepine. After the withdrawal of oxcarbazepine, the neurological status improved, with no seizures and normalization of electrolytes values confirming the hypothesis. This report illustrates a relatively uncommon adverse effect to oxcarbazepine as confirmed in the literature.
Digital occlusal splints for temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review
Authors:   Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Muresanu Sorana Andreea , Hedesiu Mihaela ,   Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Dinu Cristian ,   Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Roman Raluca ,   Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Almasan Oana ,   Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Published: October 2022

Objectives. This systematic review aimed at assessing the therapeutic efficacy of computer-assisted or digitally constructed occlusal splints in comparison to conventional splint treatment for temporomandibular disorders or bruxism. Material and methods. The study was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework. Four electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched comprehensively. The following keywords were employed: “3D-printed”, “additive manufacture”, “computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing”, “temporomandibular joint”, “temporomandibular joint dysfunction”, “bruxism”, “disc displacement”, “temporo-mandibular disorder”, “splint’, “oral splint”, “occlusal splint”, “occlusal device”, “bite splint”, “occlusal appliance”. Two risk of bias evaluation instruments were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Outcomes. Following the application of the search strategy, a total of 557 publications were identified in the electronic databases. Seven eligible articles were finally included in the analysis. Six publications (85.7%) compared digitally manufactured occlusal splints to conventionally created splints, while one examined if the use of a facebow influences the performance of digital splints. Visual assessment scores or numerical rating scales of pain, optical axiography, tooth wear, and bruxism frequency were reported as outcomes. Conclusions. Computer aided design occlusal splints provide equivalent outcomes to traditional splints. Some generated superior results, mainly probable as a result of the virtual articulator's greater precision and the splint materials' material qualities.
Thinking About Media in Cultural Studies
Authors:   Korean Association of Cultural Studies, Lee Dong-Hoo
Published: October 2022

This paper reviews the ways in which media technologies have been addressed in the field of cultural studies. Cultural studies has considered media technologies to be crucial to understanding popular culture and its scholars have thoroughly examined their cultural production, audience reception, textual representation, and social relations. However it has given little direct attention to ‘media as media’ or human-technology interplay. By criticizing the media ecology tradition as technological determinism, they have failed to have a productive interdisciplinary dialogue about media theory. This paper discusses what insights the media ecology perspective can provide for thinking about media technologies in cultural studies.
The Black-and-white Screen, As Visualizer Of Temporalités －The case of －
Authors:   Korean Association of Cultural Studies, Cho Eung-Chul
Published: October 2022

An important number of black-and-white films are made each year. Filmmakers tend to justify such practice based on the notion of temporality. Black-and-white images are indeed effective mediums in terms of visualizing temporal distance (past, future, timelessness etc.), as opposed to temporal nearness (now). This paper is an attempt to move away from such a reductionist view, by focussing on another type of temporality. I will argue that black-and-white films are powerful visualizers of various time scales, or temporalités. It is important to note that the strong expressivity of black-and-white images is not restricted to its relationship with one particular time scale, but concerns all time scales. To make this point, I will rely on Braudelian time concepts, i.e. longue durée, conjoncture, événement. The validity of this hypothesis will be examined by analyzing (Lee Joon Ik, 2021). I will conclude that black-and-white films have the potential to visualize multiple temporalities within one single film, in a non-reductionist manner, rather than a reductionist one.
Spectral Analysis of Gravity Waves in the Martian Thermosphere during Low Solar Activity Based on MAVEN/NGIMS Observations
Authors: Ji Qianqian , Zhu Xiaoqian , Sheng Zheng , Tian Tian
Published: October 2022

Gravity waves (GWs) are important for vertical coupling between the lower and upper atmosphere on Mars. Saturated GWs will promote the acceleration of mean flow and turbulence generation, causing diffuse transport of energy and momentum. We analyze the spectral characteristics of GWs in the thermosphere on Mars during the low solar activity of Martian Year (MY) 35, based on CO2 density measured by the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) on board Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN). The results are compared with those of MY33 at the higher solar activity. The vertical wavenumber spectral density obtained in the Martian thermosphere is similar to the semi-empirically predicted saturation spectrum in the Earth’s atmosphere, with a logarithmic spectral slope around −3. The average spectral density of GWs shows saturation between 160 and 200 km and decreases with increasing altitude. Compared to MY33, GW activity is larger and less attenuated in MY35 as it propagates upward, implying that waves experience more favorable propagation conditions during low solar activity. Also, the dependence of GW activity on local time during this period is found to be different from previous studies, with the strongest GWs in the spring of MY35 occurring within 6–12 hr on the dayside, suggesting that the amplitude of the GWs in the Martian thermosphere during low solar activity is less controlled by the background temperature and is subject to dissipative effects of other factors, such as molecular viscosity and thermal conduction.
Molecular and Atomic Clouds Associated with the Gamma-Ray Supernova Remnant Puppis A
Authors: Aruga M. , Sano H. , Fukui Y. , Reynoso E. M. , Rowell G. , Tachihara K.
Published: October 2022

We have carried out a study of the interstellar medium (ISM) toward the shell-like supernova remnant (SNR) Puppis A using NANTEN CO and ATCA H i data. We synthesized a comprehensive picture of the SNR radiation by combining the ISM data with the gamma-ray and X-ray distributions. The ISM, both atomic and molecular gas, is dense and highly clumpy, and is distributed all around the SNR, but mainly in the northeast. The CO distribution revealed an enhanced line intensity ratio of CO(J = 2–1)/(J = 1–0) transitions as well as CO line broadening, which indicate shock heating/acceleration. The results support the assertion that Puppis A is located at 1.4 kpc, in the Local Arm. The ISM interacting with the SNR has a large mass of ∼104
M
⊙, which is dominated by H i, showing good spatial correspondence with the Fermi-LAT gamma-ray image. This favors a hadronic origin of the gamma-rays, while an additional contribution from a leptonic component is not excluded. The distribution of the X-ray ionization timescales within the shell suggests that the shock front ionized various parts of the ISM at epochs ranging over a few to ten thousand years. We therefore suggest that the age of the SNR is around 104 yr as given by the largest ionization timescale. We estimate the total cosmic-ray energy W
p to be 1047 erg, which is well placed in the cosmic-ray escaping phase of an age–W
p plot including more than ten SNRs.
Gênero, utopias e distopias da personagem Maria no filme Metrópolis (1927)
Authors: Cardoso Bruna Ranyne Nunes , Santos Gustavo Souza
Published: October 2022

A proposta deste estudo foi analisar a construção utópica e distópica da representatividade da personagem Maria no filme Metrópolis (1927), tendo em sua referência a forma como a mulher é vista pela sociedade. A pesquisa, de abordagem documental, examinou o longa a partir da construção da personagem Maria, considerando a representação da figura feminina na obra. A figura de Maria é introduzida no primeiro momento por meio de uma narrativa utópica e messiânica aos algozes da população trabalhadora oprimida por Metrópolis. Todavia, seu protagonismo é subtraído por duas correntes: pela figura masculina de seu interesse amoroso que retira-lhe a liderança no enredo e por sua opositora, uma andróide criada às suas feições e que evoca uma performance distópica à sua posição de poder como mulher e os utopismos que sustentou. Observou-se que, mesmo quando a figura feminina possui destaque narrativo e contextual, seu desenvolvimento é subjugado pela presença masculina ou pelo arrefecimento da narrativa feminina.
Representações sociais de servidores públicos sobre o contexto de violência contra a mulher: um estudo de caso
Authors: Freire Phablo , Pimentel Mabianne Guirra
Published: October 2022

A presente pesquisa objetivou identificar e analisar as representações sociais de servidores públicos sobre o contexto de violência contra a mulher. O estudo empírico qualitativo foi realizado com 09 participantes, funcionários de uma Delegacia Especializada de Atendimento à Mulher. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise de classificação hierárquica descendente (CHD), com suporte do software Iramuteq. Identificou-se a partilha de um conjunto representacional em duplo sentido acerca do contexto de violência contra mulher. O primeiro deles diz respeito ao reconhecimento de uma especificidade do fenômeno de violência de gênero no âmbito familiar, fortalecendo seu combate enquanto fenômeno concreto. Porém, aqui emerge, um aspecto contraditório relacionado à imprecisão das espécies de violências perpetradas, considerando a ausência de sentidos veiculados sobre a pluralidade das manifestações de violência. Um segundo aspecto diz respeito ao senso de inefetividade dos servidores sobre as medidas interventivas por eles realizadas.
A mulher pelos olhos da imprensa paranaense: mãe e professora
Authors: Ivashita Simone Burioli
Published: October 2022

Neste texto objetivamos discutir a representação da mulher presente no Boletim da Secretaria de Educação e Cultura do Estado do Paraná, publicado entre 1950 e 1953 que era destinado a formação e aperfeiçoamento dos professores. A imprensa foi tomada como fonte de pesquisa por apresentar indícios importantes para compreensão histórica dos fenômenos educacionais. Como resultados temos a representatividade feminina na figura de quatro mulheres e em especial Maria Falce de Macedo e Eny Caldeira que aparecem como pioneiras na área da docência. Ainda destacamos as características atribuídas à mulher e professora que estão diretamente ligadas a maternidade e ao afeto.
A new crane fly species of the genus Libnotes Westwood, 1876 (Diptera, Limoniidae) from Jilin, China
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Yao Yilin , Zhang Peifu , Zheng Runze , Zhang Xiao
Published: October 2022

Twenty-eight Libnotes Westwood, 1876 species belonging to three subgenera have been known to occur in China, of which 13 belong to the nominotypical subgenus. Amongst the 13 Chinese Libnotes (s. str.) species, eight are from the Chinese mainland and five are from Taiwan.

A Libnotes (s. str.) species from Jilin, China, L. (L.) changbaishana sp. nov. is described and illustrated as new to science. The genus Libnotes is recorded from Jilin Province for the first time. The new species can be distinguished from congeners mainly by its body colour, wing and male genitalia.
Korean Society of Nephrology 2022 recommendations on controversial issues in diagnosis and management of hyponatremia
Authors: Lee Yeonhee , Yoo Kyung Don , Baek Seon Ha , Kim Yang Gyun , Kim Hyo Jin , Ryu Ji Young , Paek Jin Hyuk , Suh Sang Heon , Oh Se Won , Lee Jeonghwan , Jhee Jong Hyun , Suh Jin-Soon , Yang Eun Mi , Park Young Ho , Kim Yae Lim , Choi Miyoung , Oh Kook-Hwan , Kim Sejoong ,   on behalf of the Hyponatremia Guideline Development Group
Published: October 2022

The Korean Society for Electrolyte and Blood Pressure Research, in collaboration with the Korean Society of Nephrology, has published a clinical practice guideline (CPG) document for hyponatremia treatment. The document is based on an extensive evidence-based review of the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hyponatremia with the multidisciplinary participation of representative experts in hyponatremia with methodologist support for guideline development. This CPG consists of 12 recommendations (two for diagnosis, eight for treatment, and two for special situations) based on eight detailed topics and nine key questions. Each recommendation begins with statements graded by the strength of the recommendations and the quality of the evidence. Each statement is followed by rationale supporting the recommendations. The committee issued conditional recommendations in favor of rapid intermittent bolus administration of hypertonic saline in severe hyponatremia, the use of vasopressin receptor antagonists in heart failure with hypervolemic hyponatremia, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis with moderate to severe hyponatremia, the individualization of desmopressin use, and strong recommendation on the administration of isotonic fluids as maintenance fluid therapy in hospitalized pediatric patients. We hope that this CPG will provide useful recommendations in practice, with the aim of providing clinical support for shared decision-making to improve patient outcomes.
La transformation de l’université française : La perception des universitaires
Authors: Tandilashvili Nino
Published: October 2022

Pour faire face aux évolutions socio-technologiques, l’université française s’est engagée dans un processus global de réformes visant à améliorer et moderniser son mode de gestion. Les universitaires critiquent souvent les réformes, principalement à cause du conflit entre les valeurs traditionnelles du monde académique et les nouvelles valeurs introduites par des évolutions récentes. L’objectif de la présente recherche est de mettre en lumière les changements vécus par les universitaires provenant de la transformation de la gestion universitaire. La théorie néo-institutionnelle permet de créer une grille de lecture pour une analyse thématique de contenu du discours de représentants de trois universités françaises. Le résultat de cette recherche montre que l’isomorphisme coercitif et mimétique semble avoir un impact sur la transformation de l’université, entraînant un conflit de valeurs et la modification de l’identité professionnelle des académiques. Cependant, les résultats ne corroborent pas l’opinion publique générale des universitaires français, qui attribuent tous leurs malheurs aux réformes managérialistes. Les universitaires interrogés différencient les causes des évolutions qu’ils vivent.
Que nous disent les réticences du public à l’égard des vaccins contre la Covid-19 des rapports ordinaires à la science ?
Authors: Ward Jeremy K.
Published: October 2022

En France, l’épidémie de Covid-19 est survenue après une décennie de débats autour des vaccins. De nombreuses études ont montré que les réticences à l’égard des vaccins étaient particulièrement répandues dans notre pays. Ces réticences ne constituent pas seulement un enjeu de santé publique, elles ont aussi été au cœur des débats récents autour de l’évolution des rapports ordinaires à la science. Dans cet article, nous présentons l’état des connaissances au sujet des réticences affichées à l’égard de la vaccination contre la Covid-19. Que cela nous dit-il sur les rapports ordinaires à la science ? Nous verrons que cela pousse à prendre des distances vis-à-vis de certains lieux communs actuels relatifs à la défiance à l’égard de la science.
Positive radial solutions for a boundary value problem associated to a system of elliptic equations with semipositone nonlinearities
Authors: Guo Limin , Xu Jiafa , O'Regan Donal
Published: October 2022

In this paper we use the fixed point index theory to study the existence of positive radial solutions for a system of boundary value problems with semipositone second order elliptic equations. Some appropriate concave and convex functions are utilized to characterize coupling behaviors of our nonlinearities.
Lourdes, a major religious tourism destination, between crisis and transition?
Authors: Jarraud Nathalie , Clarimont Sylvie
Published: October 2022

The obsolescence of some tourism sites has been researched and modelled by the geographers R.W. Butler and M. Chadefaud who applied the concept of a product’s life cycle. This approach to the evolution of destinations has been adapted to Lourdes, a major religious tourism destination. By disrupting the system in Lourdes, the COVID-19 crisis could accelerate the transformation of the destination and facilitate the transition. From a diachronic and synchronic viewpoint, this paper gives a wider perspective to the current crisis. Although the Sanctuary is introducing some innovative concepts, those innovations fall more within a logic of “adaptation-resilience” than a transformation process. These initiatives are not universally welcomed by local tourism professionals, who find it difficult to consider a new approach to the destination. So far, the crisis seems to have exacerbated tensions among the tourism stakeholders in Lourdes rather than federating their energies around a common project of transition towards a more sustainable tourism model.
Temporal Blockchains for Intelligent Transportation Management and Autonomous Vehicle Support in the Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Brahmia Zouhaier , Grandi Fabio , Bouaziz Rafik
Published: October 2022

In the internet of vehicles (IoV) field, blockchain technology has been proposed for durable and trustworthy bookkeeping of the exchanged data. However, block timestamps assigned by miners are usually delayed with respect to events that generate the stored data, making them unusable for applications dealing with exact timing, like traffic law enforcement and insurance accident investigation. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors propose to add new timestamps to the blockchain, which are assigned by data originators to represent the valid time of data recorded within a transaction. The resulting enhanced blockchain data model, named BiTchain, can be considered from a temporal database perspective as a bitemporal data model. In order to let users and applications enjoy the potential of BiTchain, they also introduce an expressive temporal query language, named BiTEQL, defined as a TSQL2-like temporal extension of the EQL blockchain query language.
“Green” Fine Dining Restaurants
Authors: Özgür Göde Merve
Published: October 2022

Food and beverage businesses have recently started to use sustainable practices. The “green restaurant” is an eco-label that restaurants receive as a result of these practices. Today, almost any type of restaurant can become a green restaurant. This study examines the processes of fine dining restaurants to become “green restaurants” and to determine which criteria are prominent in them. The study revealed that fine dining “green restaurants” received fewer points in the transparency and education and building categories in the process of becoming green restaurants.
Exploring the Role of Social Media Influencer Marketing in the Tourism Sector
Authors: Raj Lakshmi , Mallika Sankar M.
Published: October 2022

The growing popularity of social media influencers (SMI) increasingly encourages destinations to use social media influencer marketing (SMIM) for their promotional campaigns. SMIs demonstrate the power of an individual based on certain factors employed to influence a broad segment of audience, and when it is used for marketing purposes, it is known as SMIM. SMIM is a part of the social media marketing that exercises all the commercial marketing techniques via social media channels. SMIM has impacted many industries including tourism, but looking at the progressive growth of SMIM today, it is surprising that such little attention had been paid to this area. However, while there is increasing use of SMIM by tourism organizations, there is a lack of research and limited knowledge on the roles of SMIM in travel and tourism. This chapter sheds light on the use of SMIM in the tourism sector where existing literature on the SMIM, its factors, and the influence of SMIM on the tourism sector by distinct authors are reviewed to identify the effectiveness of SMIM in the travel and tourism industry.
“Green Computing” in Hospitality
Authors: Akın Mehmet Halit
Published: October 2022

“Green computing” is an approach adopted to ensure the technological devices and byproducts used by businesses in their business processes cause the least harm to the environment. Green computing, which is a new concept for hospitality as well as for other sectors, increasingly attracts attention by researchers—especially due to the increase in the destruction of environmental factors in recent years and the importance of these factors for hospitality. However, in the body of knowledge, it is seen there is scant research on hospitality with green computing. Therefore, green computing that emerges with sustainability should be further researched, and green computing practices in hospitality should be evaluated. In light of this information, this chapter aimed to create a conceptual framework that is expected to have a widespread impact on the body of knowledge based on the current literature on the concepts of green computing.
Plan, Do, Watch
Authors: Özoğul Balyali Tuğçe , Akgiş Ilhan Öznur
Published: October 2022

In the tourism industry, the use of digital tools has been becoming increasingly common due to the development of alternative movements, such as smart tourism. One of these digital tools is geographic information systems (GIS), which is an information system used for the processing, analysis, and storage of spatial data. Within this context, this chapter focuses on the role of GIS use in ensuring the sustainability of tourism activities. In the chapter, the use of GIS in the planning, doing, and watching processes of tourism is discussed with examples. This chapter will provide information on how to benefit from GIS in the context of sustainable tourism.
Use of Blockchain in the Context of Sustainable Gastronomy
Authors: Kiziltaş Mustafa Çağatay , Cankül Duran
Published: October 2022

Global food systems, from agricultural production to processing, distribution, retail sale, food processing, and the resulting waste in the entire process in the supply chain, create greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. At the same time, some negative environmental effects such as misuse of spring water, environmental pollution, and loss of biodiversity may occur during the production of food. While access to food is a major problem in underdeveloped countries, food waste is a concern in developed countries. In addition, people want to trust the food they consume, and they want to know under what conditions the food they consume is produced and whether it comes to their table as promised. Especially in the field of gastronomy, many people are curious about the adventure of food. Issues such as traceability, transparency, reliability, and efficiency offered by blockchain technology ensure that waste can be prevented; on the other hand, it also provides the opportunity for consumers to monitor their food from field to table and provides a more sustainable food system.
Visitors' Perceptions of Homestay Management in Nepal
Authors: Devkota Niranjan , Khamcha Shreedhar , Upretee Sahadeb , Paudel Udaya Raj , Mahato Surendra
Published: October 2022

Tourists' visits to rural areas are increasingly experiencing growth; however, there is no literature available to reveal how the Nepalese community has taken advantage of tourism as an opportunity to increase income. The study assesses the visitors' perception of homestay management in one of the indigenous homestay areas: Gabhar Valley, Nepal. Based on an explanatory research design, primary data was collected from 285 tourist guests using the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique which was applied to find the visitors perceptions about homestay management. This study found there is positive and significant influence on visitors' intension to visit using homestay. Variables such as environmental concerns indeed exert a positive influence on their subjective norms and perceived moral obligation, which in turn influence their intention to visit homestay as expected. This study concludes that as homestay programs contribute significantly towards environmental concern and rural livelihood, it is an effective tourism tool for economic sustainability.
Sustainable Inventory Management in Hotels
Authors: Laohavichien Tipparat , Fredendall Lawrence D.
Published: October 2022

The objectives of this chapter are to present inventory planning and control systems in the hotel industry and to examine how to use the existing inventory management practices in the hotel industry to promote sustainability based on the concept of a triple bottom line (i.e., economic, social, and environmental sustainability). Yield or revenue management is the method most hotels use to manage their perishable inventory (rooms). The basic principle of yield management is that hotels achieve maximum revenue by matching customer needs with the right room rate and the right time of sale. Yield management directly promotes economic and social sustainability but indirectly fosters environmental sustainability. In addition, techniques and models for managing nonperishable hotel inventory are discussed, including the EOQ model, JIT and Lean systems, and the ABC classification. Moreover, radio-frequency identification (RFID), the technology used to support the effectiveness of a sustainable inventory management system, is discussed, and finally, further research is provided.
Does Brand Equity Matter?
Authors: Yu Poshan , Wang YuHan , Hanes Emanuela
Published: October 2022

This chapter examines how tourism in the hypercompetitive world can create a flexible mean to generate advantages and maintain advantages to achieve sustainable development. This chapter reflects the international wine business and global wine tourism by studying the wine tourism in the tourism industry, and studies the driving forces and factors of the sustainable development of tourism economy with wine tourism as the core. This work also reflects the demands and preferences of Chinese consumers on global wine business and wine tourism from the perspective of consumers through a Chinese case study and a questionnaire survey. After nearly 2 years of COVID-19 lockdown, the authors investigate which international wine tourism region(s) Chinese tourists most want to go after the COVID-19 lockdown and why. This study attempts to measure the wine brand equity (WBE) on travel intention based upon surveying Chinese travelers' data.
Current Trends in Sustainable Tourism in the Indian Context
Authors: Jatav Sunita
Published: October 2022

Indian tourism is rich with culture, heritage, ecology, and natural beauty across the country. The tourism sector plays a vital role for foreign exchange earnings and gross domestic product (GDP) in India. India's travel and tourism business ranks 7th internationally, contributing almost 9.6% to GDP, and is expected to rise 6.9% annually over the next decade to rank 4th. This will have a multiplier effect on India's socio-economic progress via improved infrastructure, job creation, and skill development. India was ranked 10th among 185 countries in 2019. India is a globally and digitally advanced nation in term of planning, booking, and positive experience for travel and tour. Indian middle class people's disposable income is increasing, which creates a positive impact on outbound tourism. The Indian travel market is projected to grow to US$125 billion by 2027. This study identifies best practices and the need for sustainable tourism in India's growth.
Eco-Gastronomy, Sustainability, and Art
Authors: Babadağ Gonca , Ekincek Sema
Published: October 2022

Sustainability refers to the careful use of natural resources by considering future generations. Especially in the food sector, the sustainability of resources and the reduction of environmental impacts are very important. The relationship between gastronomy and sustainability might be described using the term “eco-gastronomy.” As practitioners of gastronomy, it is very important that chefs recognize the ecosystem, protect natural resources, and respect the natural environment. In this context, the aim of the study is to provide potential chef candidates with the opportunity to express their emotions via creative design by incorporating sustainability, eco-gastronomy, and art. A total of 21 students were included in the study. With these students, designs related to both sustainability and gastronomy were realized, and they were enabled to design and present sustainable green restaurant logos and slogans in accordance with the concept they determined. Consequently, it was seen that the design stages and creativity stages of the students were exactly the same.
Transformation or Retaining the Status Quo
Authors: Yamak Sibel , Karatas-Ozkan Mine , Godwin Eun Sun , Mahmood Samia , Rahimi Roya
Published: October 2022

This chapter focuses on the dynamics of MHC-SME collaboration on sustainability in an emerging country context. The findings show that MHC sustainability policy is generally driven from headquarters and that economic sustainability has priority over environmental and social sustainability. By contrast, SMEs appear to be able to initiate fully sustainable strategies based on the culture, tradition, family history, industry, and ethical standing of the owners. The interaction of MHCs and SMEs in relation to sustainability involves varying factors at the macro, meso, and micro levels. However, the micro level factor (i.e., human agency) seems to be the determining factor of the relationship. The authors provide rich contextual data by adopting a qualitative research method (case study) based on primary data, which is rare in international business literature.
Adoption of the Sharing Economy in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Developing Countries
Authors: Kjiroski Kiril , Sarkanjac Smilka Janeska , Josimovski Sasho , Drakulevski Ljubomir , Sarkanjac Branislav
Published: October 2022

The tourism and hospitality industry has been affected by sharing economy platforms and eco-systems, which constitute disruptive innovations (i.e., innovations that create new markets and value networks while disrupting existing ones and displacing industry incumbents). As the third-largest socioeconomic activity within the European Union (EU), tourism can be considered an engine for economic development, accounting for about 8% between 2007 and 2016, while it has been close to 10% worldwide. This chapter examines the potential of the sharing economy in the tourism and hospitality sectors to disrupt the incumbent tourist regions and proposes sharing economy platforms for the introduction of new destinations in developing countries such as the Republic of Macedonia. It is crucial to examine the issue of the sharing economy from a governance perspective. The authors contend that sharing economy should be a part of a comprehensive national tourism policy based on contemporary governance principles and on experiences of other countries.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Digital Banking Trends
Authors: Damenshie-Brown Anita , Ofosu-Ampong Kingsley
Published: October 2022

While there have been increasing studies on the impact of COVID-19 on banking, limited research has explored how COVID-19 pandemic propagates the digital banking revolution and transformation from bank managers' perspectives. The authors solicit views from managers involved in bank decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic using a structured qualitative approach. They further run a content analysis on managers' responses to ascertain recurring themes that were less reported in the literature during the COVID-19 pandemic – the financial issues involved 51 themes. Three dimensions have been highlighted to reach the expected results: the challenges banks faced during the COVID-19 pandemic (bank operationalization), the strategies banks are employing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the opportunities that the COVID-19 pandemic (boosting financial literacy and empowering banks) presents. By analysing these results, the study contributes to a better understanding of how COVID-19 offers a possible pathway to digital banking transformation and revolution for financial institutions.
To What Extent Can Multidisciplinary Artificial Intelligence Applications Enhance Higher Education?
Authors: Ndhlovu Nomvula J. , Goosen Leila
Published: October 2022

In order to provide readers with an overview of, and summarize, the content of this chapter, the purpose is stated as answering the primary research question: To what extent can multidisciplinary artificial intelligence in education (AIED) applications enhance higher education teaching and learning at an open and distance e-learning (ODeL) institution in South Africa? It is important to note that this is done against the background of multidisciplinary applications of deep learning-based artificial emotional intelligence.
Impact of Arginine Containing Fertilizer on Nitrogen Isotope Ratio and Elemental Content in Young Conifer Stands
Authors: Bērtiņš Māris , Buša Lauma , Lazdina Dagnija , Dumins Karlis , Zake Signija , Kļaviņš Māris , Vīksna Arturs
Published: October 2022

A balance between forest growth and deforestation must be maintained to ensure sustainable wood production. Faster forest growth increases the economic benefit and to achieve faster forest growth it should be provided with nutrients from which one of the most important is nitrogen. In this study, nitrogen isotope ratio and elemental concentrations were determined in samples of pine needles, which were collected in plots where nitrogen-containing soil improver (arginine phosphate) was used, as well as in plots without additional nitrogen input. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of arginine-containing soil improvers on the nitrogen and other element content in pine needles harvested from selected plots. The obtained results indicate that arginine phosphate fertilizer was taken up by pine seedlings - an increase in nitrogen (0.05% for control samples and 0.7% for samples applied with a soil improver) and a decrease in nitrogen isotope ratio were observed.
Optimization of Fluorescein Sodium-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles for Ocular Drug Delivery Using a Computational Design Strategy
Authors: Aumklad Porawan , Suriyaamporn Phuvamin , Sukma Monrudee , Akkaramongkolporn Prasert , Nattapulwat Nattawat , Opanasopit Praneet
Published: October 2022

Ocular drug delivery by topical application is the most popular for the treatment of ocular diseases. However, a number of inherent anatomical and physiological ocular barriers limit the bioavailability of the drug administered by topical application. To overcome this limitation, dissolving polymeric microneedles (dMNs) have been used to create transport pathways and enhance the permeability of ocular drugs with minimal invasion. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate Optimized dMNs for ocular delivery of a hydrophilic drug using a computational design strategy. Polyvinyl alcohol/hyaluronic acid mixture was used as the dMN-forming polymers. A micromolding technique was used to fabricate the dMNs. The dMNs were evaluated for physical appearance using a digital microscope, mechanical strength using a texture analyzer. Moreover, the dissolution time, penetration depth, and permeation study on the porcine corneal tissues were investigated. The results showed that the optimal dMNs formulation was 20%PVA and 5%HA in a 1:5 weight ratio. The physical appearance showed conical microneedles with an average 601.23 ± 1.01 μm in height and 300.02 ± 0.23 μm in the base width. The optimal dMNs showed a maximum tolerance force of about 33.70 ± 0.30 N and created micro-channels on corneal tissues surface with the depth about 134.71±16.51 μm. The optimal dMNs can be completely dissolved in the corneal tissue within 3 min with high % permeation and flux of fluorescein sodium about 10.10 ± 0.55% and 14.21 ± 1.45 μg/cm2/h, respectively. In conclusion, the optimal dMNs showed high efficiency to enhance ocular delivery of the hydrophilic drug with safe and minimal invasion for ocular tissue.