bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modern crisis marketing management
Authors: Jevtić Petronije , Stošić-Mihajlović Ljiljana , Latin Robert
Published: March 2021

According to the broadest understanding, business crises are threats to a company that create, or have the potential to create, unwanted and negative outcomes in its business. The damage caused by the crisis to the economic entity affected by the crisis includes financial losses (declining income), creating a bad image and reducing the company's reputation, damage to company assets, technological inferiority, losses for interest and influence groups, the so-called. stakeholders of the company. The business crisis is related to the weaknesses that the company has and which further encourage it; when resources and potentials are lacking, leading to a decline in competitiveness or a weakening of market position; when events take place in the environment that are unexpected and unplanned. Thus, a business crisis is an unplanned and unwanted process that endangers or hinders the development of a company, thus putting it in an inferior position in relation to the competition. Therefore, a significant number of crisis situations arise due to the inability of management to anticipate changes that occur in the company environment. This paper will discuss the current crisis in business, which has affected almost the entire economic structure and all companies, with greater or lesser intensity. The crisis is caused by environmental factors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is also a challenge in the use of new tools and methods available to marketing managers in overcoming the crisis in modern conditions.
Neurological impairments in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bjelobaba Ivana , Kanazir Selma
Published: March 2021

The growing body of data implies that SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect the nervous system. We here present a short, taciturn overview of described neurological impairments related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. While it is obvious that neurological impairments can be diagnosed in a portion of COVID-19 patients, evidence of SARS-CoV-2 neurovirulence in humans is still lacking. The existing data on the incidence of neurological impairments among COVID-19 patients is highly variable, probably because they (most often) come from small, single-center retrospective studies. These data are practically published in real-time, and the question remains when larger studies will be available, given that the pandemic is continuing. We here also shortly address the other issues related to neurological disorders and COVID-19 pandemic, including the concern for people with existing chronic neurological disorders and possible long-term neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Family history rewritten: How to narrate the life happening 'Tomorrow'
Authors: Đerić-Dragičević Borjanka
Published: March 2021

This paper is dedicated to exploring the narrative points and strategies in the novel Tomorrow, written by Graham Swift, a prominent English postmodern writer, with the main objective to draw attention to the nature of narration and narrators. The aim of the research is to give answers to the questions of choices made by the novelist when it comes to narrators, narration, narrative methods and techniques, and whether the narrators are (un)reliable, etc. The author of this paper tries to determine to which extent the 2nd person narration has become influential in postmodern literature - by being mysterious, ambiguous and unknown. We often do not know to whom a narrator is speaking, nor whose voice is being heard by readers. Contemporary narratological theories deny the existence of this clear, precise and uniformed narratological voice, whether it is an author, a narrator or a reader. These days, numerous avant-garde narratological strategies are being emphasized, most notably the "wandering" second person, used by the main character of the novel Tomorrow as well. The inseparable part of the research is also questioning the postmodern premises such as the final doubt considering the (re)presentation of a story, the truth and the past (both individual and collective) which influence the choices made while forming the narration in the novel. The narratological analysis has shown the nature of psychological, moral, as well as ethical competence of the narrator, Paula Hook - a successful woman of the 21st century - a professor, a mother, a wife, living an ideal life threatened by a profound family secret. She acts as a representative of the 21st century wandering narrator - she doubts, questions, rethinks - because the history, past and truth are being constantly questioned in contemporary societies and literature as well.
Fifty years of metallurgical production of zinc and cadmium in Serbia
Authors: Nikolić Branislav , Sokić Miroslav , Kamberović Željko
Published: March 2021

Serbia has plenty of rich sites and active excavation mines of polymetallic ores of lead and zinc and centuries-old practice of their exploitation. In Serbia, the metallurgical processing of zinc concentrate started in 1955 at Zorka company in Šabac, while in the town of Kosovska Mitrovica, it began in 1967 at the Trepča combine. Several factors, including the fall o Yugoslaviam general societal circumstances and ownership transition, lead to a significant decline in production since 1992. It developed to the final halt of zinc's metallurgical production in 1999 at Trepča and in 2002 at Zorka. During the work-life o both production sites, since they opened till they closed, there were several reconstructions and capacity expansions, and all the while, the normalization and renewal of zinc production in Serbia hasn't been realized till 2021.
Analysis of transport costs in the transport of dangerous goods using statistical models
Authors: Smiljanić Dragan , Stojić Gordan , Kopić Miloš
Published: March 2021

The possibility of substitution of road transport of dangerous goods by rail was investigated through the analysis of transport costs. Transport costs in the transport of dangerous goods in road traffic in the work of computers are based on generally accepted methods and available data. Also, the costs were calculated if the transport would take place by rail on those routes and for one number for which it would be expedient. It was used with appropriate statistical methods to determine some dangerous goods by transport routes.
Criteria for selecting swimming areas depending on the level of knowledge about the Blue Flag in Montenegro
Authors: Šljivančanin Svetlana
Published: March 2021

Beaches in Montenegro represent a generator of development of the tourist industry. They are arranged and equipped in accordance with statutory regulations. Despite the fact of international standards not being applied in operations, one part of the beaches have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification which guarantees high environmental and quality standards. Users have different criteria when choosing the beach to relax and their choice does not only depend on personal affinities, but also on the high-quality offer and understanding of the Blue Flag beach criteria.
Contemporary linguistics of English language
Authors: Fijuljanin Fahreta , Dazdarević Samina , Lukač-Zoranić Amela
Published: March 2021

The paper examines the influence of modern linguistics and the consequences of language reflection on both English language and global philology. A comparative analysis of preferences and lacks of traditional and modern linguistics represent a common view of the progress and the needs of the language. The paper aims to highlight several recent studies of modern linguists in the field of English linguistics such as Chomsky, Sapir, Halliday and Bloomfield as the representative of English speaking grammarians. Modern linguistics, as a set of different variations, raises the question of how and why language changes over time. It possibly may represent the basis for research on contemporary linguistics as a turning point for language change in the future, as well as the impact of society on language, change and universals.
Public relations in the digital era: New methods and tools
Authors: Ristić Predrag , Čelik Sanja
Published: March 2021

The beginning of the 21st century marked an evolutionary "leap" in Internet technology - the transition from static web pages whose content was determined solely by their creator to dynamic, interactive user-created web pages and the emergence and proliferation of social networks as a special and multi-purpose cyber info-sphere.In such a new and dynamic environment, naturally the need for new ways of functioning of public relations has emerged, finding new approaches and methods that would successfully fit into the new digital environment and take advantage of all the newly created potential. This next evolutive stage of the Internet - Web 2.0 brought interactive access web-pages, blogs, social networks/media, targeted advertising and pod-casts have become new and vital fields of contemporary PR. The new interactive technologies have enabled not only more accurate identification of target groups but also direct access to the collection of unimaginable quantity and quality of data that describes not only groups but individuals as well. This quantum leap in knowledge of target audiences made possible more precise "tailoring" of messages for each of them, thus dramatically increasing the effectiveness of these messages. This paper will analyze the principles, functions and possibilities of modern digital public relations, the methods and tools for it`s application as well as practical examples.
Characteristics of the heroic epic through the example of the Niebelungenlied and the Gudrunlied
Authors: Nezirović Edin , Plojović Albina , Redžović Elma
Published: March 2021

Names such as Goethe, Hesse and literary writers alike are, to the reading public, synonymous for German literature. It is discouraging to see how German heroic epics have not achieved world wide acclaim and popularization, yet their quality precedes that of many bestsellers. Many experts even consider the Nibelungenlied the German equivalent of Homer's Iliad. In this work we will discuss the most significant characteristics of heroic epic by analysing, what we might consider two of the most popular heroic epics in German literature, the Nibelungenlied and the Gudrunlied. These medieval epics are subjects of much scholarly research around the world. For a better understanding of the topic, we will at the very beginning discuss the concepts of epic and heroic prose, their major characteristics as well as their significance in German literature. As the term hero certainly holds a key position in this literary genre we are obligated to hindsight it, and talk through the heroes of the Nibelungenlied and the Gudrunlied. Furthermore, for a better comprehension of the topic it is inevitable to take a closer look at the historical context of these two epics. At the very end we will review their similarities and differences.
The projection of colonialization and interculturalism throughout symbols in Forster's novel 'A passage to India'
Authors: Hadžija Sunaj , Fehratović Jahja , Hamidović Kimeta
Published: March 2021

Imperialism emerged in the late 19th century. Europe's supremacy in various areas of life which led to the view that Europe is above other parts of the world that are uncivilized and culturally fell behind, and that needed to be civilized. This attitude lead to negative phenomena such as racism - contesting the rights of other races and colonialism - conquering territories inhabitated by people of other cultures. The world seen from an imperialist perspective was most often the one colonized by Europe, postcolonial research has critized the way in which European colonial powers (especially England and France) created values of subordinate cultures and established relations between center and margins. However, the notion of discursive domination is spread quickly to all relations between colonizers and colonized, which is why this second group includes all gender and ethic groups that did not have cultural independece, but were marginalized and subjected to institutional repression. As different cultural minorities began to form resistance to agressive political, gender, and racial domination, postcolonialism also represents a disagreement with the passivity towards cultural supremacy which is symbolized in empires that no longer even existed. The novel A Passage to India represents Forster's interests in Indian culture, which was colonized by Great Britain. A Passage to India is an exploration of the spiritual and cultural contrast of the two cultures of East and West.
Un caso de hipodoncia en un lofiodóntido (Perissodactyla, Mammalia) del Eoceno Medio de la Cuenca del Duero (Castilla y León, España). Interpretación a luz de la agenesia dentaria humana
Authors: Cuesta Ruíz-Colmenares Miguel Angel , Jiménez Fuentes Emiliano , Pérez Pérez Pilar Julia
Published: March 2021

Se describe un caso de hipodoncia, un tipo de agenesia dentaria, en un lofiodóntido (Perissodactyla, Mammalia) procedente del Eoceno medio de la cuenca del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain). El material fósil consiste en una mandíbula con todos los dientes provistos de un acusado desgaste a excepción del P/4 izquierdo; esta condición debe ser explicada por la ausencia del correspondiente P4/ izquierdo. La hipodoncia es una anomalía relativamente frecuente en el desarrollo dental humano y es frecuente en otras especies de mamíferos. La herencia parece ser el principal factor implicado en la agenesia dentaria.
Stranded jellyfish in the lowermost Cambrian (Corduban) of Spain
Authors: Mayoral Eduardo , Liñán Eladio , Gámez Vintaned José Antonio , Muñiz Fernando , Gozalo Rodolfo
Published: March 2021

Ninety discoid structures of big size occurring on a bedding plane of Nemakit-Daldynian to Tommotian sandstones (i.e. Corduban in the Spanish scale of Cambrian stages) from south-western Spain are described. Cross-cutting relationships between discoid structures and associated trace fossils, as well as evidence for penecontemporaneous deformation of sediment laminae below the discoids, permit to interprete these structures as impressions of ancient, soft-bodied marine organisms. Taphonomic, biometric, and morphological studies suggest that they are outer moulds of both sides, subumbrellar and exumbrellar, of ancient jellyfish of hydrozoan coelenterates, whose canals resemble the modern genus Aequorea. With diameters up to 88 cm, Cordubia was a giant by hydromedusae standards. Palaeoichnological, lithological and sedimentological features suggest an extremely shallow, marine environment, where these organisms stranded during a single event. Cordubia gigantea gen. et sp. nov. is the oldest record of unquestionable jellyfish. The palaeontological site described here is outstanding, also because its anomalous record of hydrozoans in coarse siliciclastic rocks and the high number of specimens on a single top bedding plane of ca. 120 m2. Since soft-bodied biotas of Nemakit-Daldynian to Tommotian ages are very scarce, this site may provide a better understanding of the important taphonomic and biological events across the Neoproterozoic/Phanerozoic transition, particularly the evolution of hydrozoans.
Graptolitos del Tremadociense (Ordovícico Inferior) de la Formación Volcancito, Sistema de Famatina (La Rioja, Argentina)
Authors: Guitérrez-Marco Juan Carlos , Esteban Susana B
Published: March 2021

El Miembro Peña Negra de la Formación Volcancito (Tremadociense) del Sistema de Famatina (noroeste argentino) consta de pizarras negras graptolíticas, que se investigaron paleontológicamente, capa a capa, a lo largo de 400 m de sucesión en las secciones complementarias de Peña Negra y río Volcancito, la segunda de las cuales incluye los niveles más modernos. Los resultados bioestratigráficos permiten una correlación precisa con las asociaciones evolutivas y cronozonas globales de graptolitos del Tremadociense, y la reevaluación de todas las dataciones e identificaciones previas de la unidad. Los graptolitos más antiguos se localizan en el Miembro Filo Azul de la formación (Cámbrico Superior-Tremadociense) y se adscriben muy probablemente a la cronozona de Rhabdinopora flabelliformis parabola de la base del Ordovícico, lo que concuerda con los datos suministrados por los trilobites y conodontos. Desde el punto de vista paleontológico, se identifican y describen Rhabdinopora fl abelliformis flabelliformis, R. f. anglica, R. f. socialis, R. f. bryograptoides?, R. cf. enigma, Anisograptus matanensis y Bryograptus? sp. La forma Rhabdinopora flabelliformis famatinensis se propone restringirla al holotipo para obviar su mala caracterización taxonómica. Las nuevas formas Rhabdinopora turneri sp. nov. y R. flabelliformis acenolazai subsp. nov., guardan ciertas similitudes con los graptolitos planctónicos R. praeparabola y R. flabelliformis parabola, respectivamente. Sin embargo, los nuevos taxones del Famatina coexisten en horizontes más modernos de las cronozonas de A. matanensis y R. f. anglica, que claramente postdatan la aparición del desarrollo proximal trirradiado.
La criptopaleontología en los lapidarios griegos apócrifos
Authors: Liñan Eladio
Published: March 2021

El estudio de los diversos manuscritos griegos referentes a las propiedades de las piedras (lapidarios griegos apócrifos) que han llegado hasta nosotros indica que entre las diferentes clases de piedras descritas se encuentran fósiles y restos pétreos de animales actuales. Los lapidarios constituyen una de las más antiguas denominaciones y descripciones de fósiles y son una fuente fundamental para conocer el significado dado a los fósiles por las culturas antiguas.
Reassessment of the type collections of Maslov’s species of Corallinales (Rhodophyta). I. species originally attributed to Lithophyllum and Melobesia
Authors: Braga Juan C , Bassi Davide , Zakrevskaya Elena , Petrovna Radionova Eleonora
Published: March 2021

This paper is part of a wider project for reassessing Maslov’s original collection of fossil calcareous algae with a modern taxonomic approach. Based on this collection, currently housed in the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences of Moscow, Maslov described many taxa of calcareous algae of diverse ages from the former USSR in two monographs and several other papers from 1929 to 1973. As in other taxonomic publications from those decades, many of Maslov’s new species of fossil coralline algae were distinguished by only a few characters of questionable taxonomic significance; in addition, most of his work was published in Russian with limited illustrations. This study deals in particular with Maslov’s original preserved material of species attributed by him to the genera Lithophyllum and Melobesia (Corallinales, Rhodophyta). Our reassessment indicates that only the types of Lithophyllum duplex Maslov, and Hydrolithon corculumis (Maslov) comb. nov. (= Lithophyllum corculumis) show significant features justifying their use as species names in coralline algal taxonomy. The type of Lithophyllum microsporum Maslov is a gametangial plant that cannot be compared with the tetrasporangial plants used to delimit other coralline algal species within the Corallinaceae subfamily Lithophylloideae. Although they are validly published species names, the lack of significant characters in the preserved types prevents any confident placement of “Melobesia (Lithoporella) badjii”, “Lithophyllum conocristatum”, “L. dioscurensum”, “M. (L.) karpatica” “L. (Tenarea?) lithothamnioides”, “L. pavlovii”, “L. platticarpum”, “L. premoluccense var. cretacicum”, “L. senonicum”, “L. translucidum” in any defined generic or suprageneric taxon within the Corallinales.
Artiodáctilos del yacimiento de Sossís (Eoceno superior, Cuenca Prepirenaica, Península Ibérica)
Authors: Cuesta Ruíz-Colmenares Miguel Ángel , Checa-Soler Lluís , Casanovas-Cladellas M Lourdes
Published: March 2021

En este trabajo se describen y figuran los artiodáctilos del yacimiento de Sossís (Headoniense inferior, Cuenca Prepirenaica, Península Ibérica). Han sido determinadas seis especies pertenecientes a seis géneros y tres familias: Cebochoeridae (Cebochoerus helveticus y Acotherulum sp.), Anoplotheriidae (Dacrytherium ovinum) y Xiphodontidae (Leptotheridium lugeoni, Xiphodon intermedium y Haplomeryx euzetensis). Sossís y la cercana localidad de Roc de Santa son los yacimientos en los que X. intermedium está mejor documentada. Catodontherium y Dichodon, anteriormente reconocidos en Sossís, se han asignado a otras especies reconocidas en el yacimiento. Se identifica por primera vez el género Acotherulum. La asociación de artiodáctilos de Sossís se confirma como perteneciente al Headoniense inferior, nivel de referencia de Fons 4 (MP 17a), ya que están presentes las mismas especies que en los yacimientos franceses y suizos de dicho nivel. Además, los artiodáctilos confirman el carácter europeo-occidental de la fauna de Sossís en la que están ausentes los taxones endémicos ibéricos.
Radiodensity of Various Dental Biomaterials for Endodontics: The Role of Particle Size
Authors: Saghiri Mohammad Ali , Morgano Steven M , Kazerani Hamed , Jiang Shuying , Gutmann James L , Momeni Kasra , Godoy Franklin Garcia
Published: March 2021

Introduction: The thickness threshold for detecting endodontic biomaterials depends on many factors, such as the nature of the radiopacifier and the particle size. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thickness on radiodensity of various endodontic biomaterials; and evaluate the impact of radiopacifier particle size on radiodensity. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study was conducted between August 2018 to December 2019. The study was divided in two parts, in first part, Six endodontic biomaterials (AH26, EndoSequence, Endoseal Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), Nano-MTA, Endocem Zr, and MTA without radiopacifier) were selected and evaluated in different thicknesses, in second part, MTA mixed with Bismuth oxide 10 μm, 200 μm, 120 nm (Groups 1-3), and Zirconium oxide 5 μm, 1 μm and 20 nm (Groups 4-6) were placed in frames with 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm thicknesses to evaluate the radiopacity. Results: The mean radiodensity was significantly different among various thickness (p<0.001) and materials (p<0.001). The changes of the radiodensity in various thickness from one material to the other were not uniform (interaction p-value <0.001). A 1 mm thickness had highest radiodensity (206.6±83.99), followed by 0.5 mm (68.9±24.6), 0.2 mm (17.9±4.9), and 0.1 mm thick material had least radiodensity (11.97±4.37). Materials of AH26 (99.1±103.2), Nano MTA (97.4±104.9), Endoseal MTA (87.86±101.4), Endosequence BC sealer (85.5±93.87) and Endocem Zr (71.88±77.67) were significantly different from the control group (16.38±10.85). The size of particles played important role in radiodensity (p<0.001). The radiodensity of Fine GIII (100 nm) material (112.68±108.47) was significantly higher than other materials: Thin GII (200 nm) (100.9±102.4), Fine GVI (20-40 nm) (99.7±95.1), Coarse GI (10 μm) (76.66±74.75), Thin GV (1~3 μm) (63.19±67.3), Coarse GIV (5 μm) (49.66±51.59) and MTA without Radiopaque Agent GVII (100%) (23.67±19.68). The effect of the thickness on radiodensity was different for each biomaterial, with significant differences from the control group. Conclusion: One of the readily available methods for increasing radiodensity is to increase the amount of radiopacifier, which might compromise the physical properties of the material. Fine particle radiopacifier (120 nm) with 1 mm thickness has significantly higher radiodensity than any other biomaterials in this study. Within the limitations of the current study, it can be concluded that the radiopacifier particle size has a significant impact on the level of radiodensity of dental biomaterials. Finding the optimum distribution, size, and geometry of radiopacifier particles within the same fraction rate can enhance the radiodensity.
Disability Inclusive Public Transport in a City in Perú
Authors: Rojas Karin Ponce
Published: March 2021

Aims: In Latin America and the Caribbean, a large percentage of the urban and interurban transport service remains inaccessible for citizens with a disability. In Peru, citizens with complex disabilities have been made invisible in the public transport service. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between the management of inclusive urban public transport and the accessibility of persons with disabilities in the city of Trujillo, 2020, and how public management impacts on this group of citizens.

Methodology: A questionnaire was used based on the dimensions of each variable. The variables were: Inclusive urban public transport management composed of 5 dimensions (equipment and services, adapted vehicles, preferential rate, regulatory compliance, state of the roads) and accessibility of people with disabilities, composed of 5 dimensions (physical environment, attitudinal , social activities, mobility, comfort). Spearman's rank correlation was used.

Results: The results allowed identifying that the management of inclusive urban public transport in the city of Trujillo has a predominantly deficient level, and the accessibility of people with disabilities is mainly poor.

Conclusion: A direct and significant relationship was evidenced between the management of inclusive urban public transport and its dimensions (equipment and services, adapted vehicles, preferential rates, regulatory compliance, state of the roads) with the accessibility of people with disabilities in the city of Trujillo.
Influence of Stocking Density on Growth Performance of Labeo bata in Cage at River Padma, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Nahar Naznin , Afrin Sadia , Hossain Md. Istiaque , Samad Md. Abdus , Farhad Farhabun Binte , Rahman Mohammad Lutfar
Published: March 2021

As a result of climate change, aquaculturists are seeking adaptive culture techniques for sustainable aquaculture. In this case, cage culture is a suitable technique that can mitigate the challenge of climate change, but due to the lack of knowledge of proper stocking density, often productions are not satisfactory. Therefore, the experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of stocking density on growth and production of an endangered minor carp bata (Labeo bata) in cages for a period of 120 days in Padma River, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. On an average initial weight of bata fingerling of 5 g was stoked in cages under three treatments each with containing three replications using three different stocking densities (106, 71 and 35 fingerling/m3 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively). Supplementary feed (3% per body weight) was given to the cultured species twice in a day. The mean values of water temperature, transparency, pH and dissolved oxygen were in suitable range throughout the experimental period. Significantly (p<0.05) highest mean gross weight (85.82±0.70 g), specific growth rate (2.37± 0.02%), survival rate (83± 3.00%) and food conversion ratio (2.27± 0.03) was found in T3 rather than T2 and T1. The net production in terms of biomass (18.23±2.43 kg/cage) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2.The study suggests that, treatment T2 (71 fingerling /m3) as the optimum stocking density to produce maximum production by cage culture of Labeo bata.
Correlation between Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and Serum Magnesium and Copper Levels in Dhaka City
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Anwar , Islam Md. Ekramul , Mosaddik Ashik , Islam Md. Saiful , Huda Md. Nazmul , Rahman Md. Quddusur , Begum Firoza , Rahman Sk. Mizanur
Published: March 2021

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a condition when a newborn has an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood and is one of the most prevalent problems in   neonates. Many studies reported that copper and magnesium play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to find out the correlation between the level of magnesium and copper with hyperbilirubinemia.

Methodology: Serum bilirubin was assayed with colorimetric method by the use of diazotized sulfanilic acid reaction. A photometric automated method was used to determine the levels of magnesium and copper in the serum of neonates in both controls group (162) and cases group (220).

Results: In the present study a significantly higher levels of Mg was found in hyperbilirubinemia of newborn infants when compared with control groups (23.67 ±2.33 mg/L versus 19.74 ±2.18 mg/L respectively and p value <0.001 which was significant) and correlation between hyperbilirubinemia and magnesium also significant (p value <0.001). Copper levels was significantly higher in hyperbilirubinemia of newborn infants (0.74 ±0.08 mg/L) compared with control groups (0.41 ±0.12 mg/L), where p value was <0.001, which was significant and correlation between hyperbilirubinemia and copper also significant (p value <0.001).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that current study showed the concentrations of magnesium and copper levels were found to be significantly greater than control groups and may have a correlation with neonatal jaundice.
Qualitative Assessment of Health Apps: An Emerging Market Study
Authors: Goyal Garima , Sharma Sonika
Published: March 2021

Aims: Increased usage of health apps has led to need for their quality assessment for safeguarding interest of various stakeholders. This study attempts to undertake qualitative assessment of health apps in an emerging market, India.

Study Design: Health apps were evaluated by the experts and secondary data was used for rating of the health apps. Indian food data base was used for evaluating content accuracy.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, between January 2019 and August 2019.

Methodology: Top 10 health apps, identified from response of 400 users, are assessed qualitatively by expert raters using App Quality Evaluation Questionnaire. Content accuracy in terms of macronutrient measurements is assessed using Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE). Relationship between average user ratings and various aspects of qualitative assessment is explored using linear regression.

Results: Majority of the apps performed well in terms of functionality, interactivity, security and aesthetics. Relatively poor performance is observed in terms of accountability, behavior change techniques and scientific coverage. Regression analysis indicate that Functionality (p=0.035) and engagement (p=0.024) features significantly influence user ratings and overshadow scientific coverage and accuracy (p=0.798). MAPE values indicate considerable variations from Indian food data base across the apps especially in terms of protein and energy.

Conclusion: Quality assessment of top 10 health apps, in Indian scenario, indicates that the apps are proficient on functionality. At the same time, the apps fair poorly in terms of scientific content and accountability. There is a pertinent need for statutory regulations as well as voluntary efforts for improving the scientific content. Collaborative efforts of app developers with scientific institutions should be promoted.
Physico-Chemical Properties of Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) Natural and Value Added Products
Authors: Rao M. Chandra Surya , Swami D. V. , Ashok P. , Suneetha D. R. Salomi , Sujatha R. V. , Sekhar V.
Published: March 2021

Palmyrah palm has great economic potential and every part of the palm is useful in one way or the other.The palm is found growing widely in southern states of India. The palmyrah products like tender fruit endosperm (nungu), neera, jaggery and tuber flour are not commercialised as the value addition in palmyrah is not standardised. Even though palmyrah is an economically important palm, it has not received proper attention from the agricultural research workers, probably on account of the fact that it is very slow growing palm found mostly in the wild state. In this context knowing of physico chemical properties and development of value added products and popularizing the same is essential.
The Outcome of Lumber Microdiscectomy
Authors: Ali Chateen Jabbar , Al-Rawi Walid W. , Rasheed Arjan Mohammed
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common health problem between men and women between 20 and 50. Although most LBP's exact origin remains unknown, it is understood that degenerative damage to the intervertebral disk (IVD) plays a central role in the pathogenic mechanism leading to back pain. The study aims to study the incidence, clinical features, and presentations of the lumbar disc prolapse and clinical outcome of lumbar microdiscectomy for a period of 1 year post operatively.

Methods: 28 male's patient and 22 female patients qualified. The data were obtained by direct interrogation and clinical examination. The information that was taken from the patients includes the patient's age, gender, occupation, and chief complaint, history of present illness, and neurological signs and symptoms. Plain X-ray of the lumbosacral spine obtained for each patient in anteroposterior, lateral view and stress views.

Results: 15 male patients (53.5%) and eight females (36.3%). The most common site for the prolapsed disc was L4-L5 (58%); the next common site was L5-S1 (38%), backache was the most common presenting symptoms. It presents in all 50 patients (100%). Sciatica present in 45 patients (90%), in 13 patients the radiation of the pain was to the right leg, whereas 26 patients have radiation of pain to the left leg and six patients have bilateral radiation, 45 patients (90%) of total 50 patients complaint from backache recovered,36 patients (86.7%) of real 45 patients compliant from sciatica improved, paresthesia represented in 32 patients (64%) and 28 patients (87.5%) of them recovered, whereas 16 patients (32%) had motor weakness and 12 patients (75%) recovered. Conclusion: Lumbar microdiscectomy may be associated with a more rapid initial recovery in patients with sciatica; most patients had good outcomes with lumbar microdiscectomy.
Plasma Cyclophilin A as a Novel Biomarker in Chronic Nephropathy
Authors: EL-Fattah Mohy Eldin Abd , El-abaseri Taghrid B. , Mohamed Hegazy Mohamed Abd Elaziz
Published: March 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common cause of end- stage renal disease. Albuminuria is the foremost commonly utilized marker to anticipate onset of diabetic nephropathy (DN) without sufficient affectability and specificity to identify early DN.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate Plasma cyclophilin A (CypA) as a new biomarker for early DN.

Methods: This cross sectional study included 125 Egyptian subjects attending the out Patients Clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine, 10Th of Ramadan city Health Insurance Hospital and divided into-:control group, patient with diabetic mellitus, patients with Diabetic nephropathy and patient with diabetic nephropathy and other complications. Patients were subjected to measurement of plasma cyclophyline A, FBS, HbAIC, serum creatinine, serum urea, serum uric acid, k, Na, serum phosphorus, Albumin:Creatinine Ratio, GFR, Chol, TG, LDL HDL, AST, ALT, T.BIL, D.BIL ALB, TP, GLB and A/G ratio.

Results: Results showed that Cyclophilin A was significantly correlated with duration of DM, CR, Urea, UR.A, Na, phosphorus, ACR, Chol, TG, LDL, AST, ALT, T.BIL, D.BIL. Meanwhile, Cyclophilin A was negatively correlated with HA1C, K, GFR, HDL, ALB, TP, GLB and A/G ratio. At cut-off level ≥84.14, cyclophilin A had 91% sensitivity and 62% specificity for diagnosing diabetic nephropathy.

Conclusion: CypA can be used as an early marker for DN as we found early significant high levels of urinary CypA in diabetic patients with stage 2 DN even before the appearance of albuminuria.
Teaching and Supervision as Determinants of Post-Graduate Studies Completion Time in Vocational and Technical Education Programmes in South-South Nigerian Universities
Authors: Eze Titus Iloduba , Nwakanma Sunny , Obidile Jacinta Ifeoma
Published: March 2021

This study was necessitated due to the need for post-graduate students to complete their programmes within the stipulated time. It examined the extent teaching and supervision determine post-graduate studies completion time in vocational and technical education programmes in South-South Nigerian Universities. One research question guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study. The population consisted of 204 graduates of vocational and technical education programmes in South-South Nigerian Universities. There was no sampling since the population was manageable. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Method of internal consistency was used to determine the reliability of the instrument using Cronbach Alpha and the reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained. The data collected for the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation to answer the research question and further determine the closeness of the respondents’ mean ratings. The t-test and ANOVA were used for testing the null hypotheses. Findings of the study revealed that teaching and supervision contribute to a great extent to post-graduate studies completion time in vocational and technical education programmes. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that teaching and supervision factors outstandingly determined post-graduate studies completion time in vocational and technical education programmes. It was recommended among others that, heads of school of post-graduate programmes should ensure that, only lecturers that are committed to work should be assigned as post-graduate course lecturers and supervisors.
Phytochemical Activities of Artemissia absinthium and Butea monosperma Plant Extracts
Authors: Waheed Fatima , Yaqoob Shaista , Ali Qurban , Malik Arif
Published: March 2021

With the developing time, there is a tremendous need to deliver highly potential antimicrobial drugs and treatment from different herbaceous plants because plants are now days commonly used to provide resistance against disease-causing pathogens. This study has been done by using agar well diffusion method. The bacterial along with fungal strains were collected and were cultured on agar plates. Afterwards, these plates were put in incubate for 24 hours at 370C temperature. Within this duration, the zones were developing all around the plates, wherever plant extracts were poured. The activities of microorganisms were measured by using inhibition diameter zones. The inhibition zones were shown clearly on petri plates. Antimicrobial activities of plant extracts of Artemissia absinthium and Butea monosperma tested against bacterial and fungal strains viz. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli as well as fungal strains were also used viz. Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum.
Prevalence, Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibilities of Nosocomial Infections at a Tertiary Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Stanley Catherine N. , Ekada Inimuvie
Published: March 2021

Background: Many infections could previously be treated effectively based on the clinicians past clinical experience. The development of resistance to essentially all of the antimicrobial agents currently in use in clinical practice has made this scenario more of the exception than the norm. Selecting an appropriate antimicrobial agent has become increasingly more challenging as the clinician has to navigate through the variety of available agents in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance. The diagnostic laboratory plays very important role in clinical practice.   To ensure safe and effective empirical treatment, a surveillance study of the susceptibility pattern of common pathogens and appropriate use of antibiotics is imperative. This current study reports on the prevalence, distribution and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of nosocomial pathogens isolated at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and the effectiveness of the antibiotics commonly prescribed at the hospital in treating these infections.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of specimens received at the Microbiology Laboratory was conducted over a six-month period, from October 2015 to March 2016 using urine, blood and semen specimens respectively. A total of 5,160 samples received and analyzed at the laboratory within the study period were assessed.

Results: Out of the 5160 specimens analyzed, 881(17.07%) were positive for bacteria out of which 691(78.43%), 86(9.76%), 104 (11. 81%) were from urine, blood and semen respectively. Escherichia coli (35.74%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (52.33%) and Staphylococcus aureus (65.4%) were the most frequently isolated pathogens from urine, blood and semen respectively. Wide spread multiple-drug resistance was observed among the organisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. aureus, and E. coli isolated from urine were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, gentamycin and ceftriaxone. A review of the pattern of prescribing antibiotics revealed that in the Accidents and Emergency unit, ceftriaxone (34.09%) and metronidazole (30.09%) were most frequently prescribed while in the General Out-Patient Department, metronidazole (19.09%), amoxicillin (16.61%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (9.39%) and ofloxacin (9.39%) were often prescribed. S. aureus was susceptible to only ceftriaxone while K. pneumoniae and E. coli were susceptible only to ofloxacin.

Conclusion: Most of the isolated pathogens were not susceptible to the frequently prescribed antibiotics. Empirical prescribing of antibiotics without current epidemiological data of pathogens in the hospital can only further exacerbate the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The need for epidemiological surveillance and rational use of antibiotics in the Hospital is therefore strongly recommended.
Identification of a potential source of error for 6FFF beams delivered on an AgilityTM multileaf collimator
Authors: Lorenz Friedlieb H. , Paris Matthew I.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The performance of the AgilityTM multileaf collimator was investigated with a focus on dynamic, small fields for flattening filter free (FFF) beams.

Methods

In this study we have developed a simple tool to test the robustness of the control mechanisms during dynamic beam delivery for Elekta’s VersaHD linear accelerator with Integrity 4.0.4 control software. We have programed the planning system to calculate dose for delivery of sweeping gaps. These sweeping gaps have a constant speed, constant size, and are delivered at a constant dose rate. Therefore they specifically identify delivery problems in dynamic mode.

Results

The Elekta AgilityTM control mechanism fails to maintain accurate delivery for small, dynamic sweeping gaps. For small gap sizes, the AgilityTM control mechanism delivers a field that is more than four times the size of the planned field width without generating an interlock. This has dosimetric implications: The discrepancy between calculated and measured doses increases with decreasing gap size and exceeds 10% and 60% at isocenter for a 3.5 mm and 1 mm gap size, respectively.

Conclusion

A deficiency of the AgilityTM control system was identified in this study. This deficiency is a potential source of error for volumetric modulated arc therapy fields and could therefore contribute to relatively high failure rates in quality assurance measurements, especially for FFF beams.
Emulating Early Atherosclerosis in a Vascular Microphysiological System Using Branched Tissue‐Engineered Blood Vessels
Authors: Lee Jounghyun H. , Chen Zaozao , He Siyu , Zhou Joyce K. , Tsai Alexander , Truskey George A. , Leong Kam W.
Published: March 2021

Atherosclerosis begins with the accumulation of cholesterol‐carrying lipoproteins on blood vessel walls and progresses to endothelial cell dysfunction, monocyte adhesion, and foam cell formation. Endothelialized tissue‐engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) have previously been fabricated to recapitulate artery functionalities, including vasoconstriction, vasodilation, and endothelium activation. Here, the initiation of atherosclerosis is emulated by designing branched TEBVs (brTEBVs) of various geometries treated with enzyme‐modified low‐density‐lipoprotein (eLDL) and TNF‐α to induce endothelial cell dysfunction and adhesion of perfused human monocytes. Locations of monocyte adhesion under pulsatile flow are identified, and the hemodynamics in the brTEBVs are characterized using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Monocyte adhesion is greater at the side outlets than at the main outlets or inlets, and is greatest at larger side outlet branching angles (60° or 80° vs 45°). In PIV experiments, the branched side outlets are identified as atherosclerosis‐prone areas where fluorescent particles show a transient swirling motion following flow pulses; in CFD simulations, side outlets with larger branching angles show higher vorticity magnitude and greater flow disturbance than other areas. These results suggest that the branched TEBVs with eLDL/TNF‐α treatment provide a physiologically relevant model of early atherosclerosis for preclinical studies.
Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Copper Matrix Composites Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes and Al2O3
Authors: Guo Xu , Chen Xiaohong , Liu Ping , Zhou Honglei , Fu Shaoli , Li Wei , Liu Xinkuan , Ma Fengcang , Wu Zhengpeng
Published: March 2021

CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 composites are successfully prepared by internal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition and spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The influence of Al content (0.12 and 0.6 wt%) on the morphology of grown carbon nanotubes and the mechanical properties of composites are systematically studied. The results show that under the same growth process, more carbon nanotubes are obtained on the surface of the powders with 0.6 wt% Al content. The CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 composites with 0.12 wt% Al content displays higher mechanical properties, the tensile strength is 280 MPa, and the micro‐hardness is 123.3 HV, which is increased by 40.7 and 78.2% in contrast with that of pure copper, respectively. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 (Al content is 0.12 wt%) composites is still at the high level of 83.2% IACS. This work uses chemical vapor deposition to improve the dispersion and interfacial bonding of CNTs in the matrix and increase the properties of the composites, which provides a new idea for the preparation of high strength metal matrix composites.
Hollow CeO2@Co2N Nanosheets Derived from Co‐ZIF‐L for Boosting the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhang Jian , He Wenhui , Aiyappa Harshitha Barike , Quast Thomas , Dieckhöfer Stefan , Öhl Denis , Junqueira João R. C. , Chen Yen‐Ting , Masa Justus , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

Rational design of highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical to improving overall electrochemical water splitting efficiency. This study suggests hollow CeO2@Co2N nanosheets synthesized using Co‐ZIF‐L as a precursor, followed by a hydrothermal reaction and a nitridation process as very attractive OER catalysts. The increased activity is supposed to be due to nitridation and strong electronic interaction between CeO2 and Co2N that contribute to the formation of active CoOOH phase. The synthesized CeO2@Co2N exhibits low overpotentials of 219 and 345 mV at OER current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm–2, respectively, as well as a long‐term durability of 30 h at a comparatively high current density of 100 mA cm−2.