bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Perplexing Case of Pituitary Apoplexy Masquerading as Meningoencephalitis
Authors: Rahman Aminur , Mondal Sharna Purna , Ahmed Muhammed Jamil , Md Russel Abul Hasnat , Agarwala Ajay Kumar , Twinkle Furial Quraishi , Dastegir Khan Shahjada Mohammad , Paul Biplob , Ali Zahed
Published: December 2021

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is extremely rare in children and adolescents. It is a life-threatening condition usually results from sudden hemorrhage or infarction induced swelling in a pituitary adenoma. The clinical manifestations of PA include severe headaches, impaired consciousness, fever, visual disturbance, and variable ocular paresis. Therefore, the presence of meningeal irritation may lead to misdiagnosis as a case of meningoencephalitis or spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, and delay in the proper management of the disease. We report a case of 17-year-old pubertal boy who developed sudden severe headache, vomiting, slurring of speech and abnormal behaviour followed by impaired sensorium with fever. The patient who was initially diagnosed with meningoencephalitis (ME) based on clinical presentation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, which was consistent with bacterial meningitis. MRI of brain was performed, confirming a pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage and ischemic changes in both basal ganglia and pons. A complete analysis of the pituitary hormones revealed decreased cortisol and thyroid hormone level and hyperprolactinemia and he was subsequently started on placement corticosteroid and L-thyroxine therapy and cabergoline. After 14/ days of antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone and ampicillin, the patient improved and was discharged on hormone replacement therapy and surgical advised. Hereby, we report our case with a review of literatures.
Bangladesh J Medicine July 2022; 33(1) : 85-88
Estrategias de prevención para disminuir la transmisión vertical del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana durante la gestación
Authors: Moreno Reyes Katherin Faviola , Ayala Peralta Felix Dasio , Velásquez Vásquez Carlos
Published: December 2021

El embarazo en una mujer que vive con el VIH continúa siendo un problema importante de salud que involucra no solo a la gestante si no al producto de la gestación por el alto riesgo de transmitir del virus durante el embarazo, el momento del parto y la lactancia materna.

A pesar de los años transcurridos, los estudios seleccionados siguen reportando que la reducción de la transmisión vertical del VIH se logra con el diagnóstico temprano de la infección en la gestante, disminuyendo la carga viral materna mediante el uso de terapia antirretroviral en el embarazo y en el momento del parto, el nacimiento por cesárea electiva, la supresión de la lactancia materna y la profilaxis antirretroviral en el recién nacido.
Cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas de prescripción de medicamentos en recetas atendidas en hospital público de Lima.
Authors: Salvador Ortega Miriam Janet
Published: December 2021

Objetivo: Identificar el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas de prescripción de medicamentos en recetas atendidas en hospital público de Lima. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo. Se revisaron en total 5120 recetas en el periodo de enero a junio de 2019, verificando el cumplimiento de las buenas prácticas de prescripción de medicamentos en recetas atendidas en hospital público de Lima. Se utilizó el programa SPSS 21.0 en el análisis de los datos. Resultados: Se identificó que las recetas emitidas no cumplen con todo lo estipulado según el manual de buenas prácticas de prescripción del Ministerio de Salud de Perú; verificandose las siguientes deficiencias: Número de teléfono del prescriptor o la institución donde trabaja (100%), dirección del paciente (100%), teléfono del paciente (100%), nombre comercial del medicamento (100%), dosis del medicamento (8%), forma farmacéutica (71%), indicaciones terapéuticas (36%), forma de presentación del medicamento recetado (30%), concentración del principio activo (25%) y letra legible (35%). Conclusión: La mayoría de prescriptores no cumplen con el manual de buenas prácticas de prescripción de medicamentos, que constituyen barreras en la atención farmacéutica.
Caracterização físico-química da água de um rio urbano amazônico, Capanema, Pará, Brasil
Authors: Silva Eduardo Camurça da , Gutjahr Ana Lúcia Nunes , Braga Carlos Elias de Souza
Published: December 2021

A ocupação das margens dos rios urbanos impacta os ambientes aquáticos através do lançamento de efluentes e resíduos, remoção da vegetação ciliar e mudanças na configuração dos rios. Com isto, este trabalho objetivou realizar a caracterização físico-química do rio Ouricurí em Capanema, considerando a área da nascente, perímetro urbano e foz, observando a influência da sazonalidade e do crescimento urbano. Foram avaliados a Temperatura (T), pH, Oxigênio dissolvido (OD) e Condutividade elétrica (CE). A temperatura foi mais elevada na área urbana (27.81ºC) na estação menos chuvosa (EMC) e 29.26ºC na estação chuvosa (EC), influenciada pela remoção da mata ciliar. A área da nascente apresentou pH ácido (N1 = 4.91 e 4.27 nas EMC e EC), influenciado pelo caráter lêntico dos pontos de coleta e o aporte de matéria orgânica, o pH foi básico na área urbana devido a concentração de efluentes domésticos no rio. O teor de OD foi maior na região da nascente, (N3 = 3,10 mg/L na EMC e 4,92 mg/L na EC), o parâmetro decresceu nas áreas urbana e foz, influenciado pela temperatura e a decomposição da matéria orgânica. A nascente apresentou a menor CE (N1 = 12,7 µS cm-¹ e 25,3 µS cm-¹ para EMC e EC), e a foz níveis mais elevados, a CE é influenciada pelo aporte de efluentes não tratados. Verificou-se que a ocupação das margens do rio Ouricurí prejudica o meio ambiente aquático urbano, através de mudanças no meio físico, que alteram as variáveis físico-químicas indicativas da qualidade da água.
Microalgae use in animal nutrition
Authors: Souza Camilla Mariane Menezes , Bastos Taís Silvino , Santos Marley Conceição dos
Published: December 2021

Looking for alternative sources in animal nutrition, microalgae began to be explored, gaining space in commercial production. The aim of this review is to present available information about the use of microalgae in animal nutrition, as well as its effect and applications. Many microalgae are important sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These PUFA is poorly synthesized by animals, so they should be included in their diet. In addition, they are a rich source of almost all of the important minerals as well as vitamins. Additionally, some microalgae generally have a high protein content and high digestibility. In this context, microalgae already available on the market, become an alternative replacing conventional ingredients. To our knowledge, the use of small amounts of microalgae biomass in the feed can benefit the physiology of the animals, improving the immune response, resistance to diseases, antiviral and antibacterial action, intestinal function, and stimulation of probiotic colonization. In general, the addition of these compounds to the diets of animals enhances their overall health and immune status, productivity, and the quality and stability of the resulting animal products. Although the use of microalgae is increasingly directed towards many types of animals: cats, dogs, ornamental fish, horses, poultry, swine, sheep, and cow, studies still need to be explored.
Desenho vacinal por imunoinformática contra HCV: Caracterização química e predição de epítopos de células T
Authors: Santos Fabiano Ricardo Fontes , Santana Esther Santos , Droppa-Almeida Daniela
Published: December 2021

A hepatite C é uma enfermidade que atinge o fígado causando sua inflamação, alcançando milhares de pessoas todos os anos, contudo atualmente ainda não existem vacinas para o vírus responsável pela doença, o HCV, embora estudos já sejam realizados sobre a viabilidade. Assim sendo, a vacinologia reversa pode ser de grande auxílio para detecção de alvos promissores para utilização como antígeno vacinal e concomitantemente formulação de uma vacina eficaz. O respectivo trabalho tem como objetivo obter dados relevantes para o desenho de vacinas promissoras contra o HCV através da utilização de ferramentas de bioinformática. Para tanto, após as sequências do vírus serem obtidas no Centro Nacional de Informação Biotecnológica (NCBI), foram realizadas as análises do potencial antigênico através do VaxiJen v.2.0. e do ANTIGENpro, juntamente foi verificado o potencial alergênico com o AlgPred, logo após as proteínas serem selecionadas, seguiriam para as próximas etapas onde foram submetidas para a caracterização das propriedades físico-químicas, através do ProtParam e a predição de epítopos de células T foi realizada no NetTepi. Dentre os resultados obtidos pode-se notar que, a proteína E2 foi a única a se demonstrar alergênica, já à proteína E1 não apresentou potencial antigénico e as demais proteínas foram classificadas como instáveis, seguindo somente a proteína NS4a para predição de epítopos de células T.
Zihinsel Engelli Bireylerde Sporun Etkilerine Yönelik Farkındalık: Spor Yöneticisi Adayları Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: Altınışık Ünsal , İlhan Ekrem Levent , Kurtipek Serkan
Published: December 2021

Engelli bireyler de toplumun diğer tüm üyeleri gibi beden eğitimi ve spor aktivitelerinin olumlu çıktılarından etkilenebilmektedir. Engelli bireylerin spora katılımının öneminin her geçen gün arttığı günümüz dünyasında farklı meslek gruplarındaki bireylerin farkındalığı önemli hale gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda spor yöneticisi adaylarının zihinsel yetersizliği olan bireylerde sporun etkilerine yönelik farkındalıklarının belirlenmesinin amaçlandığı bu araştırma betimsel bir nitelik taşımakta olup tarama modeline göre gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu; Spor Yöneticiliği Bölümü’nde öğrenim gören ve bu bölümden mezun olduktan sonra herhangi bir mesleğe dahil olmayan 93’ü (%45,1) kadın ve 113’ü (%54,9) erkek olan toplam 206 kişi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak; araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” ile İlhan ve Esentürk (2015) tarafından geliştirilen “Zihinsel Engelli Bireylerde Sporun Etkilerine Yönelik farkındalık Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Veri toplama aşamasından sonra elde edilen bulgular bilgisayar ortamına aktarılmış, verilerin çözümünde ve yorumlanmasında betimsel istatistikler, t-testi ve Pearson korelasyon testi kullanılmıştır. Analizlere göre; spor yöneticisi adaylarının farkındalık düzeylerinin yüksek seviyede olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca katılımcıların zihinsel engelli bireylerde sporun etkilerine yönelik farkındalık düzeyleri cinsiyet, formasyon alma durumu, özel eğitim ya da engellilerde beden eğitimi ve sporla ilgili ders alma ve aile veya yakın çevrede engelli birey olma durumu gibi değişkenler açısından anlamlı farklılık gösterirken, yaşa göre herhangi bir ilişki tespit edilmemiştir.
Persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot following annual sowings: influence of grass species, ryegrass cultivar and pasture age on yield, composition and density
Authors: Maxwell Tom , Edwards Grant , Tozer Katherine , Cosgrove Gerald
Published: December 2021

Persistence is an important component of perennial pasture-grass productivity. Defining traits that affect persistence is essential for improving pasture longevity through plant breeding and for identifying persistence traits that should be included in cultivar ranking indices. Compared with conventional longitudinal studies, where a single sowing is monitored over time, repeated annual sowings allow the effects on persistence of sowing year and the ensuing interactions between environment and age of pasture to be identified. An experiment was commenced in 2015 under sheep grazing in Canterbury and in 2016 under cattle grazing in Waikato, where eight cultivars of perennial ryegrass representing different ploidy, flowering date, and cultivar age (release date), and one cultivar each of tall fescue and cocksfoot were sown in four randomised complete blocks in autumn each year. This paper reports interim data on spring and autumn pasture yield, composition, and density of 3-year-old, 2-year-old and 1-year-old pastures exposed to the same environmental conditions within the same, single year. There were significant effects on yield, botanical composition, basal cover and tiller density due to cultivar, pasture age, and their interaction. When the confounding effect of year-to-year variation was removed by comparing each age cohort in the same year, the underlying differences among grass species and cultivars, and ages of pasture, is starting to reveal the nature of this influence on pasture persistence.
Transient Cutaneous Alterations of the Newborn
Authors: Quieros Catarina , Santos Mafalda Casinhas , Pimenta Rita , Tapadinhas Cristina , Filipe Paulo
Published: December 2021

Neonatal cutaneous alterations are common, usually appearing at birth or during the first few days of life. Most of these conditions are physiological, benign, and transient, arising from a combination of immaturity of the newborn skin with environmental factors. Nonetheless, some of them may eventually be a clue to underlying disorders. Physicians should therefore be aware of these clinical manifestations so that parents can be reassured and, when necessary, complementary investigations can be undertaken.
Impaired Mitochondrial and Metabolic Function of Fibroblasts Derived from Patients with Recessive Dystrophic and Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: Tietzová Ilona , Twaroski Kirk , Eide Cindy , H. Ostrander Julie , Crawford Peter , Tolar Jakub
Published: December 2021

Background: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) and junctional EB (JEB) are inherited disorders characterised by fragility and blistering of epithelial tissues leading to pain, pruritus, and adherent scarring. The severity and chronic nature of the resultant skin wounds significantly reduces quality and length of life. Current therapies primarily consist of protective bandaging and nutritional supplementation; there is no cure for these disorders. Although the skin fragility results from a lack of C7 protein (RDEB) and laminin-332 (JEB), other serious aspects of these disorders, such as inflammation that interferes with healing and aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, have not been completely elucidated. Recent research has suggested that mitochondrial function plays a significant role in skin healing.

Objective: To evaluate how mitochondrial function differs in patients with RDEB and JEB.

Method: The energy status of RDEB and JEB patient-derived fibroblasts was determined by Seahorse analysis and metabolite production. The energetics and overall morphology of RDEB and JEB patient-derived fibroblasts were assayed as a measure of metabolic stress.

Results: EB patient-derived fibroblasts showed impaired oxidative phosphorylation with concomitant compensation by glycolysis. Morphological parameters were altered in RDEB and JEB fibroblasts compared with controls.

Conclusion: This is the first study to describe changes in mitochondrial energy metabolism, metabolic profile, and mitochondrial morphology of EB patients.
Case Report of Schwannomas: Benign Tumour of the Peripheral Nerve Sheath
Authors: Ansilata Marlyn Ansilata Marlyn , Ameer Faisal , Pal Hillol Kanti
Published: December 2021

Schwannomas, also known as neurilemmomas, are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising from the Schwann cells surrounding the nerve. Incidence of peripheral nerve sheath benign tumours occurring in the lower extremities is rare (1–10%). The authors present two cases with solitary schwannomas from the peripheral nerves. In one case, the schwannoma arose from the sural nerve and in the other, from the tibial nerve. They were successfully surgically removed with the aid of a surgical microscope, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications.
Left Hemicolectomy for Intussusception of the Transverse Colon Caused by a Giant Benign Lipoma
Authors: Birmingham Kevin P.
Published: December 2021

Colocolonic intussusception, caused by submucosal lipomas, is extremely rare. These benign soft tissue tumours comprise mature adipocytes of mesenchymal origin. While the majority of patients with lipomas remain asymptomatic, large or giant size lipomas (>4 cm) have been shown to cause debilitating abdominal pain, alternating bowel pattern, and anaemia secondary to gastrointestinal blood loss. This necessitates intervention in the form of surgical resection or endoscopic removal. However, once lipomas increase beyond 2 cm in size there is a significant risk of complications with an endoscopic approach, and open surgery or laparoscopic resection with bowel re-anastomosis is warranted. In this case put forth, the patient underwent a successful transverse colectomy and primary anastomosis.
Management of Pregnancy in Rheumatic Disease
Authors: Maguire Sinead , O’Shea Finbar
Published: December 2021

Managing patients with rheumatic diseases (RMD) during pregnancy and the postpartum period can be a challenge for both rheumatologists and obstetricians. While disease activity during the course of pregnancy varies with regard to the presence of underlying conditions, maintenance of remission from conception through to delivery increases the chances of an uncomplicated pregnancy. A period of remission of at least 6 months prior to conception increases the chance of a successful conception while decreasing the risk of flares during pregnancy. For this reason, discussion of pregnancy in females with RMDs should begin prior to conception with risk stratification and pregnancy planning. This allows for the transfer to pregnancy-compatible medications, disease stabilisation, determination of autoantibody status, and evaluation of end-organ damage. During pregnancy, where possible, disease activity should be monitored with scores modified to allow use in pregnancy. Prompt recognition and treatment of active disease is essential to minimise the risk to the pregnancy. Systemic lupus erythematosus and axial spondyloarthropathy can present diagnostic dilemmas due to overlap of symptoms of disease activity and normal pregnancy. Patients with end-organ involvement, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or systemic sclerosis, face a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and disease progression. Close monitoring of patients with RMD should be done by both obstetrics and rheumatology, with regular communication between specialties. Medications should be reviewed at each stage of pregnancy to ensure compliance with the current American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines and the adequate treatment of RMDs.
Treat to Target in Spondyloarthritis: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Nelly Nelly , Hamamouchi Ihsane
Published: December 2021

A treat-to-target (T2T) strategy is a treatment plan in which the clinician treats the patient aggressively enough to reach and maintain explicitly specified and sequentially measured goals. To apply a T2T strategy, some conditions should be met. First, a proactive, clear endpoint should be used and a threshold should be defined. Second, a choice between several effective therapies must be available. Third, the endpoint should be supported by findings from randomised controlled trials supporting early aggressive treatment. Fourth, the strategy should be cost-effective. Finally, it needs to be acceptable by the stakeholders.

The objective of this review was to verify if the conditions for applying the T2T strategy were met in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), using a narrative review.

Based on the currently available literature, the conditions for applying the T2T in PsA and axSpA were partially met. First, proactive outcome measures are available; however, there is no clear consensus regarding the optimal one. Second, there is a reasonable choice of approved therapies for both diseases. Third, additional randomised controlled trials demonstrating the effectiveness of a T2T approach are still needed. Fourth, cost-effectiveness studies are needed and should include patients from different healthcare systems. Fifth, the implementation of T2T recommendations in routine care and the adherence to its application in clinical practice should be promoted.

In summary, preliminary data suggest that T2T might be beneficial to patients with PsA and axSpA. However, further studies are needed to meet all the criteria before strongly advocating for T2T strategies.
FEATURES OF INDUSTRIAL PROSE IN UKRAINIAN SOVIET LITERATURE: THE SHORT STORY “BLAST FURNACES” BY DMYTRO BUZKO
Authors: Tkachenko Mariia
Published: December 2021

The paper highlights the features of ‘industrial’ prose in the Ukrainian Soviet literature of the 1930s clarifying the main formal and semantic characteristics of “industrial” genres, their reception in criticism, and such characteristics of this genre as style, plot, figurative and thematic principles. Based on D. Buzko’s text “Blast Furnaces”, the paper shows the transitional period between the free avant-garde artistic movement in Ukraine of the 1920s and the implementation of socialist realism as the only official style in Soviet art in the 1930s. As a representative of the futurist movement, deeply engaged in the elaboration of early cinema theories, Dmytro Byzko wrote a novel “Holiandiia”, which deconstructed official narratives and topics of the late 1920s. The comparison of the “Blast furnaces” with this novel helps not only to see the mentioned transition but also to notice the divergence of the “Blast furnaces” and more canonical pieces of this genre. Dmytro Buzko’s “Blast furnaces” extremely accurately reflects the expectations from literature at that time: the heroes explain the main stages of work at the metallurgical plant, and by their example, in words and deeds, agitate readers to become conscious builders of socialism. Although a large number of similar techniques, ideas, and even views of the author can be found in “Holiandiia” and “Blast furnaces”, the first novel is a sharp critique of the contemporary reality, while “Blast furnaces” is a text complementary to reality. The analysis of “Blast furnaces” shows the process of the search for an ideal and canonical protagonist as well as an antagonist for the Soviet literature. The last one in this text is represented by the typical for the whole Ukrainian literature covetous farmer who, in a new political reality, plays a role of a small evil ready to harm ordinary workers and socialistic future.
Alfred Newton’s second-hand histories of extinction: hearsay, gossip, misapprehension (William T. Stearn Student Essay Prize 2020)
Authors: Urry A.
Published: December 2021

The study of extinction was rooted in Victorian naturalists’ practices of observation and collection, but presented a challenge to the discipline’s increasing emphasis on empiricism and precision. This paper traces the role of witness testimony and hearsay accounts in early studies of extinction, as preserved in the notebooks of Cambridge zoology professor, Alfred Newton. Beginning in 1850s, Newton and his collaborators sought to trace the histories of suspected extinct species such as the British great bustard and the great auk of Iceland. With its subject absent by definition, the study of extinction relied on hearsay and rumour as well as evidence gleaned from past published accounts. Through methodical attempts to collate diverse and contradictory sources, from eyewitnesses to newspapers to local folklore and gossip, Newton demonstrated the inextricability of human activities from the practice of studying extinction. These attempts to resolve social evidence into scientific certainty were time and again frustrated by the uncertain epistemic status of his sources.
Dating the publication of Hugh Miller’sThe testimony of the rocks(1857)
Authors: Taylor M. A. , O’Connor R. , Overstreet L. K.
Published: December 2021

Assessing the precise publication dates of nineteenth-century books is difficult. Common problems include inadequate, inaccurate and confusing title-page information, and misleading advertisements. It is better to use multiple lines of evidence rather than a single source. The first Scottish and English edition of The testimony of the rocks, by Hugh Miller (1802–1856), is shown to have been published on or about 24 March 1857, after the author’s suicide, as a combination of the first and second issues simultaneously. The first issue was published by Shepherd & Elliot of Edinburgh in co-operation with Hamilton, Adams & Co. of London. It was optionally available with an additional frontispiece of a photographic print of Miller. The second issue was published by Thomas Constable & Co. of Edinburgh with Shepherd & Elliot and Hamilton, Adams. After some further issues, Shepherd & Elliot was dropped later in 1857, so that the third publishers’ imprint became Constable with Hamilton, Adams, for a number of issues. Constable and Hamilton, Adams published a newly-typeset second Edinburgh edition in 1860, but failed to denote it as such. Gould & Lincoln of Boston, Massachusetts, published the first American edition (from a new typesetting) and distributed it on or about 25 April 1857.
The first painting of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Europe? Natural history and artistic patronage in early nineteenth-century India
Authors: Lowther D. A.
Published: December 2021

Throughout the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, British East India Company officials, based in the Indian subcontinent, amassed huge collections of natural history images. One of the largest collections, consisting of many thousands of individual paintings commissioned mainly from Indian artists between 1790 and 1823, was formed by Major-General Thomas Hardwicke. Some of these later formed the basis of John Edward Gray’s Illustrations of Indian zoology, but the vast majority remained unpublished. This paper focuses on one of these images, a detailed watercolour of the red panda ( Ailurus fulgens), painted to accompany a scientific description of the species which Hardwicke sent from Bengal to the Linnean Society of London in 1820. The painting pre-dates Frédéric Cuvier’s description of the animal by four years, and is almost certainly the first image of the red panda to have arrived in Europe. This paper sets the painting in the context of Hardwicke’s career as a naturalist and private patron of Indian artists, highlighting both his role as an early investigator of Indian zoology and the importance of “Company Art” in the accrual of scientific information.
Richard Thomas Lowe (1802–1874) and his correspondence networks: botanical exchanges from Madeira
Authors: Mesquita S. , De Sequeira M. Menezes , Castel-Branco C.
Published: December 2021

The growth of scientific knowledge in the natural sciences in the nineteenth century to a large extent depended on networking and communication between naturalists. Our case-study illustrates such forms of scientific communication using a social network analysis (SNA) approach for studying the relationships of the Reverend Richard Thomas Lowe, an English naturalist who lived in Madeira from 1826 to 1852, and continued to visit until his death in a shipwreck in 1874. During his lifetime, he established a network of contacts mainly in the United Kingdom and in Madeira, which enabled him to develop and publish his pioneering work on the local flora, including A manual flora of Madeira and the adjacent islands of Porto Santo and the Desertas.
MAPPING AND CHANGE DETECTION OF MANGROVES AROUND MUMBAI USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Authors: Abhyankar A. , Sahoo T. , Seth B. , Mohapatra P. , Palai S. , Bhargava P. , Chaurasiya S. , Isasare S.
Published: December 2021

The study focuses on the mangroves in two districts namely, Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban. Mumbai, a coastal megacity, is a financial capital of the country with high population density. Mumbai is facing depletion of coastal resources due to land scarcity and large developmental projects. Thus, it is important to monitor these resources accurately and protect the stakeholders’ interest. Cloud-free satellite images of IRS P6 LISS III of 2004 and 2013 were procured from National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad. Two bands of visible and one band of NIR were utilized for landcover classification. Supervised Classification with Maximum Likelihood Estimator was used for the classification. The images were classified into various landcovers classes namely, Dense Mangroves, Sparse Mangroves and Others. Two software’s namely, ERDAS Imagine and GRAM++ were used for landcover classification and change detection analysis. It was observed that the total mangrove area in Mumbai in 2004 and 2013 was 50.52 square kilometers and 48.7 square kilometers respectively. In the year 2004 and 2013, contribution of sparse mangroves in the study area was 72.31 % and 87.06% respectively.
INFLUENCE OF INFLATION RATE ON MACHINERY HIRE RATES IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Salah Alaloul Wesam , Musarat Muhammad Ali , Liew M. S. , Qureshi Abdul Hannan
Published: December 2021

Cost overrun is encountered in various construction projects and even with various advancement, the issue remains. When cost overrun occurs in any construction project, it not only affects the project also leaves marks on the construction industry as well. Machinery hire rates are important while finalizing the project budget and when the rates change annually it may result in project cost overrun. Due to these facts, this study investigates the effect of inflation rate on machinery hire rates. Inflation is a powerful influencing factor in deviating the prices and the rates which result in cost overrun. Statistical analysis was performed where the Spearman correlation was used as the data possess a nonlinear behaviour. The overall result came significant as the inflation rate showed a strong relationship with 9 machinery hire rates demonstrating that the inflation rate is the most prominent factor in deviating the rates. Three (3) machinery hire rates showed a moderate relationship, whereas 1 showed a weak relationship with the inflation rate. Therefore, a consideration of the inflation rate should be made in budget estimation.
IMPACT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC ON PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT-A CASE STUDY ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN SOUTHERN INDIA
Authors: Krishnan Ajay , S Ajithkumar , G Manishankar , K Upendra , A Kabilan , Muralidhar P
Published: December 2021

In India, Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is in practice as a tool for prioritizing and managing real estate projects in construction organizations. But due to insufficient funding, improper judgment of experts during the crisis situation, the selection of optimal project portfolio prototype can be viewed as a risk based decision making process involving various risk factors. The objective of this study is to analyze the importance of project portfolio management and the risks associated with it in the construction industry taking into account the impact of novel corona virus COVID 19. This research identifies the adoption of more consistent project governance, risk management techniques and way more careful project portfolio management as the core area of study. A conceptual framework for Project Portfolio Management is also designed after analyzing various parameters of Project Portfolio Management of construction industry with the help of Bayesian framework. The key motive for undertaking this part of examination on real estate sector of Indian construction industry in southern part of India to reduce the impacts and increase the return on investment from the projects by mitigating the effect of risk factors associated in the projects.  Project Portfolio Management tools and techniques are very useful for managing multiple construction projects.
ANALYSIS ON PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN INDIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Vinayagam Sivasundara , R V Hemprashant , S Sruthy , Sanjeev Vidya , Muralidhar P
Published: December 2021

Project Portfolio management (PPM) is a combination of projects under the sponsorship of a particular construction organization sharing the scarce resources, managing projects and programs within the portfolio. It requires different strategies, models and practices. Many organizations across the country have projects in their sector in different places. However they abandoned temporarily suspended or closed within a decade which is troublesome. Proper PPM helps to execute the construction project effectively. As such, the aim of this research paper is to identify PPM practices in different construction organizations with a view to examine the effects of such practices on the project portfolio. The current research topic focuses on analysing the project performance of different construction projects using Project Portfolio Management practices. In this research a questionnaire survey related to the Project Portfolio Management on four major practices is carried out among the various professionals in Indian Construction Industry with help of Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques such as Entropy Method, SAW, CODAS methods and ranking the various project portfolio.
BUILDING AND USING A 3D MODEL OF A MOUNTAINOUS LANDFORM FOR GEOINFORMATIONAL SUPPORT OF TOURISM
Authors:   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Elshina Tatyana E. , Kokorina Irina P. ,   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Sysoev Alexander V. ,   2GIS
Published: December 2021

The article deals with the creation and use of a 3D model of mountain terrain for geoinformation support of tourism in the Russian Federation on the example of the territory of the Republic of In-gushetia. The aim of the work is to develop and apply a digital 3D model of mountain terrain for use in creating an interactive tourist map on web services, as well as tourist and administrative sites of the republics of the Caucasus. Methods of geoinformational mapping, terrain modeling, cartographic research method and modern software were used: 3D Spatial Analysts, WorldMachine, Unity 3D. The classification of tourism types and objects of natural and cultural heritage in the Republic of Ingushetia is carried out. As a result of the analysis of tourist and administrative sites, as well as web-services of the republics of the Caucasus, a conclusion is made about their insufficient geoinformation support. The possibilities of using 3D models of mountain terrain on web maps for tourism purposes are pre-sented. A digital model of mountainous landform in the Republic of Ingushetia is created. A 3D scene, which shows basic relief forms and objects’ location is developed.
METHODOLOGY FOR DETERMINING HELMERT'S CONSISTENT PARAMETERS FOR LOCAL TERRITORIES
Authors:   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Shendrik Nikolay K.
Published: December 2021

A method for determining the Helmert matching parameters for converting the coordinates of points from the common terrestrial to the reference coordinate system has developed. The tech-nique is based on the maximum alignment of the surfaces of the common terrestrial and reference el-lipsoids within a certain local territory and does not imply knowledge of the heights of the quasigeoid. The radius of the local area is limited by a given methodological error in the transformation of coordi-nates from general terrestrial system to Gauss-Kruger projection. For a methodical error of ±2–3 cm, the radius of the local area is about 200 km. Two options for determining the Helmert matching parameters for the fourth three-degree zone of the MSC of the Novosibirsk region are given: according to the reconstructed coordinates and heights of the SDGN, and according to the catalog coordinates and heights of the SGN points located in the same territory.
Significance of Short Story Cycle in Rachel Joyce’s A Snow Garden and Other Stories: An Analytical Study Using Complexity Theory
Authors: Nalkara Ouseph Shaju
Published: December 2021

Rachel Joyce’s short story collection A Snow Garden and Other Stories (2015) is composed of seven stories which occur during a fortnight of the holiday, Christmas season. The collection uses narrative techniques which make it a unique set of stories. The stories have an urban setting and examine the intricacies of human relationships. The sense of interconnection highlighted by Joyce in the stories elevates it to a short story cycle. A short story cycle consists of individual stories which can stand on their own as complete narratives while also maintaining fictional links running through all the stories. The paper is an attempt to establish A Snow Garden and Other Stories as a short story cycle. It also argues that by narrating the interconnected nature of human lives Joyce’s work is exploring life as a complex system. As a scientific philosophy complexity theory explores the behavior of complex systems including human societies. Complex systems are self-organizing, dynamic, evolving networks that operate without any centralized control; similar to human societies. This paper will apply the principles of complex systems to reveal patterns of human behavior represented in Joyce’s work. .
Persuasive Strategies of Saudi EFL Learners
Authors: Almegren Rehan
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the speech act of persuasion used by Saudis learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Moreover, I seek to explore the differences between genders in the use of these strategies. The participants are 50 males and 50 females at level 7 of their bachelor’s degree in English. Data are collected using the Discourse Completion Test (DCT) method, which contains six scenarios similar to real-life situations. Data are analysed quantitatively using the Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Project nine-point rating scale, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and Chi-square. The results of the DCT reveal that Saudi EFL learners use more direct strategies in English, namely hedge performatives and performatives. In addition, males are shown to be more inclined to use direct persuasive strategies compared to females. This research will benefit language learners, teachers, and researchers, as it highlights linguistic aspects of the speech act of persuasion that should be considered when learning and teaching a foreign language. The implications of this study inspire future research into different aspects of speech acts..
Kuwaiti Women Writers and Anglophone Choices: Charting New Territories
Authors: Alshammari Shahd
Published: December 2021

While there has been a plethora of work on Arab women writers, little attention has been paid to Kuwaiti women writers, especially those who write Anglophone literature. This research paper argues that the choice to write in English rather than Arabic leaves these writers in a problematic position. As a result of embracing the English language, rather than their mother tongue, they are left outside of the dominant literary circle and often marginalized. Through a literary analysis, this paper presents some of the texts written by contemporary Kuwaiti writers who have chosen to write in English, and have produced nuanced narratives of Kuwaiti women who find agency and self-expression through their fictional journeys. These journeys explore themes of agency, voice, and trauma. A significant contribution of the present paper lies in a thematic analysis of lesser-known Kuwaiti texts in order to excavate these marginalized voices. The findings suggest that by choosing to write in English, these writers face the dangers of being dismissed from the literary canon, just like their protagonists must contend with society’s discrimination and expectations. .
DNA Methylation Modification Map to Predict Tumor Molecular Subtypes and Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Ye Fangdie , Liang Yingchun , Hu Jimeng , Hu Yun , Liu Yufei , Cheng Zhang , Ou Yuxi , Xu Chenyang , Jiang Haowen
Published: December 2021

Background: Considering the heterogeneity and complexity of epigenetic regulation in bladder cancer, the underlying mechanisms of global DNA methylation modification in the immune microenvironment must be investigated to predict the prognosis outcomes and clinical response to immunotherapy.

Methods: We systematically assessed the DNA methylation modes of 985 integrated bladder cancer samples with the unsupervised clustering algorithm. Subsequently, these DNA methylation modes were analyzed for their correlations with features of the immune microenvironment. The principal analysis algorithm was performed to calculate the DMRscores of each samples for qualification analysis.

Findings: Three DNA methylation modes were revealed among 985 bladder cancer samples, and these modes are related to diverse clinical outcomes and several immune microenvironment phenotypes, e.g., immune-desert, immune-inflamed, and immune-excluded ones. Then patients were classified into high- and low-DMRscore subgroups according to the DMRscore, which was calculated based on the expression of DNA methylation related genes (DMRGs). Patients with the low-DMRscore subgroup presented a prominent survival advantage that was significantly correlated to the immune-inflamed phenotype. Further analysis revealed that patients with low DMRscores exhibited less TP53 wild mutation, lower cancer stage and molecular subtypes were mainly papillary subtypes. In addition, an independent immunotherapy cohort confirmed that DMRscore could serve as a signature to predict prognosis outcomes and immune responses.

Conclusion: Global DNA methylation modes can be used to predict the immunophenotypes, aggressiveness, and immune responses of bladder cancer. DNA methylation status assessments will strengthen our insights into the features of the immune microenvironment and promote the development of more effective treatment strategies.
Prospects of Inhaled Phage Therapy for Combatting Pulmonary Infections
Authors: Wang Xiang , Xie Zuozhou , Zhao Jinhong , Zhu Zhenghua , Yang Chen , Liu Yi
Published: December 2021

With respiratory infections accounting for significant morbidity and mortality, the issue of antibiotic resistance has added to the gravity of the situation. Treatment of pulmonary infections (bacterial pneumonia, cystic fibrosis-associated bacterial infections, tuberculosis) is more challenging with the involvement of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, which act as etiological agents. Furthermore, with the dearth of new antibiotics available and old antibiotics losing efficacy, it is prudent to switch to non-antibiotic approaches to fight this battle. Phage therapy represents one such approach that has proven effective against a range of bacterial pathogens including drug resistant strains. Inhaled phage therapy encompasses the use of stable phage preparations given via aerosol delivery. This therapy can be used as an adjunct treatment option in both prophylactic and therapeutic modes. In the present review, we first highlight the role and action of phages against pulmonary pathogens, followed by delineating the different methods of delivery of inhaled phage therapy with evidence of success. The review aims to focus on recent advances and developments in improving the final success and outcome of pulmonary phage therapy. It details the use of electrospray for targeted delivery, advances in nebulization techniques, individualized controlled inhalation with software control, and liposome-encapsulated nebulized phages to take pulmonary phage delivery to the next level. The review expands knowledge on the pulmonary delivery of phages and the advances that have been made for improved outcomes in the treatment of respiratory infections.
Innate Lymphoid Cells in Response to Intracellular Pathogens: Protection Versus Immunopathology
Authors: Korchagina Anna A. , Koroleva Ekaterina , Tumanov Alexei V.
Published: December 2021

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a heterogeneous group of cytokine-producing lymphocytes which are predominantly located at mucosal barrier surfaces, such as skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. ILCs contribute to tissue homeostasis, regulate microbiota-derived signals, and protect against mucosal pathogens. ILCs are classified into five major groups by their developmental origin and distinct cytokine production. A recently emerged intriguing feature of ILCs is their ability to alter their phenotype and function in response to changing local environmental cues such as pathogen invasion. Once the pathogen crosses host barriers, ILCs quickly activate cytokine production to limit the spread of the pathogen. However, the dysregulated ILC responses can lead to tissue inflammation and damage. Furthermore, the interplay between ILCs and other immune cell types shapes the outcome of the immune response. Recent studies highlighted the important role of ILCs for host defense against intracellular pathogens. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the mechanisms controlling protective and pathogenic ILC responses to intracellular pathogens. This knowledge can help develop new ILC-targeted strategies to control infectious diseases and immunopathology.
Translated Transcripts From Covert Recordings Used for Evidence in Court: Issues of Reliability
Authors: Gilbert David , Heydon Georgina
Published: December 2021

Nation states increasingly apply electronic surveillance techniques to combat serious and organised crime after broadening and deepening their national security agendas. Covertly obtained recordings from telephone interception and listening devices of conversations related to suspected criminal activity in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) frequently contain jargon and/or code words. Community translators and interpreters are routinely called upon to transcribe intercepted conversations into English for evidentiary purposes. This paper examines the language capabilities of community translators and interpreters undertaking this work for law enforcement agencies in the Australian state of Victoria. Using data collected during the observation of public court trials, this paper presents a detailed analysis of Vietnamese-to-English translated transcripts submitted as evidence by the Prosecution in drug-related criminal cases. The data analysis reveals that translated transcripts presented for use as evidence in drug-related trials contain frequent and significant errors. However, these discrepancies are difficult to detect in the complex environment of a court trial without the expert skills of an independent discourse analyst fluent in both languages involved. As a result, trials tend to proceed without the reliability of the translated transcript being adequately tested.