bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the lacrimal sac and sustainability of lacrimal surgeries during the pandemic period
Authors: ALPOGAN Oksan , ANİL ASLAN Cemile
Published: September 2022

Objective: To investigate the reliability of dacryocystorhinostomy operations in terms of viral spread by examining the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona-virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the lacrimal sac.

Methods: A total of 15 eyes in 14 patients of nasolacrimal duct obstruction that was scheduled for external dacryocystorhinostomy operation were prospectively included in the study. Patients who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), had recovered from COVID-19, have a history of close contact with COVID-19 infected persons, and are with vaccination were not included in the study. A nasopharyngeal swab was taken from the surgery planned side of each patient 24 hours before their operation. All cases were real-time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative. Lacrimal swabs were taken from the lacrimal sac during surgery in these cases. The compatibility of the RT-PCR test results from the lacrimal sac and nasopharyngeal swab was evaluated.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.04 ± 14.91 years. The mean duration of nasolacrimal duct occlusion was 3.93 ± 3.40 years. RT-PCR was negative in the swabs taken from the lacrimal sac of all cases (100%). This result showed agreement with the RT-PCR test results of the nasopharyngeal swabs.

Conclusions: Viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in the lacrimal sac in this study. Lacrimal sac surgeries can be performed by taking the necessary precautions.
Comparison of Two Types of High-Intensity Interval Training: Heart Rate Based vs. Speed/Time Based
Authors: Nazari Radgiglou Shahriar , Safarzade Alireza , Shirinbayan Vahid
Published: September 2022

Background: Monitoring exercise intensity accurately is a constant concern for athletes and researchers. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of controlling high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with heart rate (HTHR) and speed/time (HTST) on some fatigue-related variables. Methods: Twenty young male athletes (age 22.75 ± 2.5 years, weight 76.6 ± 8.8 kg, height 179.7 ± 6.5 cm) were randomly allocated to one of the two arms. Then two-time acute running was performed with intensity control based on heart rates (HR) and speed/time for 40 min on the treadmill with a one-week washout. In order to measure vVO2max, a VIFT test (30 - 15 intermittent fitness test) was taken. Serum levels of glucose, lactate, glycerol, pyruvate, and creatine kinase were measured before and at the end of each exercise. The normality of data was determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test. The t-test and univariate test were used to analyze within- and inter-group changes between the two types of HIIT, respectively. Results: The speed decreases at the identical intensity HTHR over time. The average speed in HTST was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but the maximum and minimum speed in HTHR was significantly higher and lower, respectively. The average distance covered by subjects in HTST was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The post-exercise blood fatigue indexes (i.e., pH, creatine kinase, lactate, glycerol, lactate/pyruvate, and glucose) in HTHR was significantly less compared to those in HTST. Heart rate increases at the identical intensity based on vVIFT in HTST gradually. Conclusions: In general, HTHR can exert the recovery and relative intensity between subjects more accurately. In fact, training based on HR, in contrast to speed/time, decreases internal load differences and increases external load differences between individuals.
Three Control Views on Privacy
Authors: Menges Leonhard ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: September 2022

This paper discusses the idea that the concept of privacy should be understood in terms of control. Three different attempts to spell out this idea will be critically discussed. The conclusion will be that the Source Control View on privacy is the most promising version of the idea that privacy is to be understood in terms of control.
La segunda enseñanza extremeña a través de su alumnado. Los institutos históricos provinciales de Cáceres y Badajoz (1900-1936)
Authors: Redondo Castro Cristina , Grana Gil Isabel
Published: September 2022

El primer tercio del siglo XX es un periodo caracterizado por grandes transformaciones sociales y culturales, pero ¿cómo afectaron estos cambios en la segunda enseñanza extremeña? El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el desarrollo y evolución de la segunda enseñanza (oficial, colegiada y libre) en Extremadura, en los años comprendidos entre 1900 y 1936 a través del alumnado matriculado en los institutos históricos de Cáceres y Badajoz. Para ello, en este trabajo no sólo hemos recurrido al análisis cuantitativo a través de tablas y gráficos en las que se muestran datos de la población matriculada, procedencia, tipos de enseñanza, diferencias por sexos, etc., sino que fundamentalmente nos ha interesado saber cuáles han sido las causas que han influido en la evolución, o no, de este nivel educativo. La conclusión es que, aunque se empieza a iniciar un proceso de democratización de este tipo enseñanza gracias a las políticas educativas que fueron emergiendo durante el primer tercio del siglo XX, sobre todo durante la Segunda República, favorecida por la implantación de los nuevos institutos, así como por el hecho de exigir el título de bachiller para acceder a las escuelas normales, en Extremadura, debido al alto índice de analfabetismo, población diseminada y escaso desarrollo económico, entre otras causas, no llegaron a calar del todo.
El proceso de depuración de Victoriano Taibo
Authors: Méixome Carlos
Published: September 2022

Presentamos un estudio sobre el proceso de depuración del maestro Victoriano Taibo García (1885-1966), poeta y narrador en lengua gallega, uno de los firmantes, en 1918, del «Manifesto Nacionalista» durante la primera asamblea de «As Irmandades da Fala» (IF). Nos basamos en el expediente preservado en el Archivo General de la Administración (AGA) de Alcalá de Henares, en el epistolario que forma parte de su archivo personal, custodiado en el Instituto de Estudos Miñoráns (IEM),  de las actas de plenos municipales del ayuntamiento de Gondomar (AMG) así como de otras fuentes puntuales citadas.
Activista cultural y maestro en diversas escuelas de Galicia. Siendo ya un poeta reconocido, poco antes de la proclamación de la II República, fue destinado a la escuela de Morgadáns, parroquia del ayuntamiento de Gondomar (Pontevedra), a la que quedó unido al ejercer en ella durante casi dos décadas.
A pesar de su compromiso galleguista nunca se afilió al Partido Galeguista (PG). Tras la sublevación militar no fue sancionado de inmediato, pero en el proceso de autodepuración fue castigado con el destierro a Villalar de los Comuneros (Valladolid), entre enero de 1938 y el mismo mes de 1942.
En 1948 pronunció su discurso de ingreso en la Real Academia Galega (RAG), que versó sobre Rosalía de Castro. Falleció, en 1966.
Leni Riefenstahl: no es propaganda… sólo mostré lo que estaba ocurriendo.
Authors: Cercós Raichs Raquel , Vilanou Torrano Conrad
Published: September 2022

Reseña de 
Leni Riefenstahl, por Steve n Bach. Barcelona: Circe, 2008,  ISBN: 978-84-7765-261-8Memorias, por Leni Riefenstahl. Barcelona: Lumen, 2013. ISBN: 978-84-2642-149-4Conversaciones con Leni Riefenstahl. Almería: Confluencias Editorial, 2016,  ISBN: 978-84-945298-7-0Leni Riefenstahl, por Manuel García Roig. Madrid: Cátedra, 2017, ISBN: 978-84-376-3628-3
Relaciones familia-escuela: creencias desde los servicios de orientación
Authors: Cueli Naranjo María de los Ángeles , López Larrosa Silvia
Published: September 2022

Una de las tareas de los servicios de orientación es relacionarse con las familias. Sin embargo, las creencias de los y las orientadoras sobre dichas relaciones y su rol con respecto a las familias han sido poco investigadas. El objetivo de este trabajo era explorar las creencias sobre la relación familia-escuela, la autoeficacia para relacionarse y el desempeño del rol de los orientadores. Participaron 110 orientadores y orientadoras de varias comunidades españolas que trabajaban en centros con niveles educativos desde educación infantil a secundaria. Se usó el “Cuestionario de creencias sobre las relaciones familia-escuela”, que explora creencias sobre la supeditación, colaboración, separación, y la autoeficacia para relacionarse con las familias. Además, se exploraron cuatro factores del desempeño del rol: contextual, personal, conocimiento del rol y expectativas. Los participantes se sintieron altamente eficaces para vincularse con las familias y apoyaron las creencias de colaboración entre la familia y la escuela. Sin embargo, cuantos menos años de experiencia profesional tenían, menos capaces se sentían para relacionarse con las familias. A pesar de encontrarse en contextos de colaboración entre la familia y la escuela, reconocían diversas situaciones mejorables, desempeñando esencialmente roles de mediadores/asesores, y respondiendo a las altas expectativas de toda la comunidad educativa. Las características personológicas necesarias para el desempeño del rol eran las habilidades sociales, especialmente la empatía y la escucha activa. Estos resultados tienen implicaciones para la mejora de las relaciones con las familias y la caracterización del rol de los orientadores y las orientadoras.
Nursing students’ experience of community-linked nursing education program: A qualitative content analysis
Authors: Lee Insook , Kim Hae Ok , Lee Byoung Sook
Published: September 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to explore nursing students’ experience with community-linked nursing education programs.Methods: This study utilized a qualitative content analysis. Participants were 55 sophomore nursing students. The community-linked nursing education program was conducted for eight weeks using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evolution (ADDIE) model. Data were collected from 55 reflection records and five individual interviews and then analyzed through the three steps of qualitative content analysis, coding, condensing, and categorizing.Results: Twelve categories, 26 subcategories, and six topics emerged. The themes of impression and lesson from the community-linked nursing education programs were “recognizing the importance of professional competence in performing the role of nurse,” “recognizing the need for leadership and cooperation in nursing practice,” and “increased awareness of the role as a nursing professional for community residents.” The themes of the strategies used were “looking at the goal and moving forward,” and “aligning differences and working together with team/community members.” The theme of strategies for the advancement of community-linked nursing education programs was “establishing a sustainable student-participating community-linked education program.”Conclusion: The community-linked nursing education programs made students aware of the necessary competencies as professionals. In particular, they gave them hope for their role as professional nurses in the community. It could also be seen that they developed the ability to engage in team activities for community activities. Community-linked nursing education programs will need to be developed into continuous programs with community residents.
EVALUATION OF FAIR-TRADE BUSINESS POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN GARMENT INDUSTRY: A COMPANY AND CONSUMER ORIENTED STUDY
Authors: GARCIA ARENAS CRISTINA , SAEZ GUTIERREZ FRANCISCO LUIS , CAVAS MARTINEZ FRANCISCO , LOZANO MONREAL ANTONIO , VELÁZQUEZ BLÁZQUEZ JOSÉ SEBASTIÁN
Published: September 2022

Purpose: This research article aims to evaluate the fairness of the textile industry policies and practices in a double way, by examining both companies and consumers dynamics. To find out how equitable the garment sector market is, official reports from the most prominent companies were studied, to determine what they claim to be doing to improve the situation with workers from developing countries, if they meet their self-stablished criteria or not, and the actions that have been consequently taken. Furthermore, this research reflects consumers’ dynamics and points out whether they are ethical and consequent with their opinions.
Methodology: Two different approaches were used, one for each different path. The first one consisted of assessing the level of fairness in labor conditions of workers who belong to big supply chains contractors. To do so, this study applied a variation of Grey’s Approach and created some standards. The second one was designing a survey whose data was subsequently analyzed with the objective of finding out if buyers made a conscious and equitable consumption of clothes. Consequently, the survey was divided into questions about buyers’ knowledge of the situation and industry, common purchase practices, and their opinion.
Findings: This paper proposes a quantitative way to evaluate how well are supply chains managing to provide a fair environment for workers coming from subcontracts in developing countries, as well as it allows some comparison between brands and give clues on how to improve. In addition, the perception and consumption pattern of common textile buyers was captured and appraised. These conclusions have helped to accurately describe the current situation of production chains in the garment sector.
Originality: To the authors’ knowledge, there is no other research that describes how companies perceive the current situation of production chains and subcontracted workers in the garment sector using their own published data. In addition, this research also takes account of the point of view of the consumer, giving a full view of the industry situation.
Keywords: supply chain, clothes, consumers, fair labour conditions, delocalization
IMPROVED MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OF CHEST X-RAYS USING DEEP LEARNING WITH INCREMENTAL ITERATIONS
Authors: HERNANDEZ TRINIDAD ARON , PEREZ CARETA EDUARDO , HERNANDEZ RAYAS ANGELICA , CORDOVA FRAGA TEODORO , GUZMAN CABRERA RAFAEL
Published: September 2022

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung that affects the alveoli. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and physical examination. Chest radiographs are used as an alternative to validate the diagnosis. In the present work, a methodology is presented to perform image processing based on machine learning and artificial intelligence to perform an automatic classification of said images. Results of experiments carried out in two classification scenarios are presented: cross-validation and training and test sets. Five different machine learning methods were used in each classification scenario, as well as five evaluation metrics. Similarly, the images were preprocessed with five filters, in addition to the original images. The oriented gradient histogram feature descriptor was used to measure the effectiveness in both cases: original and with filters. The configuration of the experiment was planned in such a way that it allowed to identify the best classification conditions, also allowing to clearly observe the impact of the size of the training set on the evaluation metrics used. The results obtained allow us to see the effectiveness of the implemented methodology, since the results are competitive with those reported in the state of the art.

Keywords: machine learning, artificial intelligence, neural networks, image processing.
Experiences of Stigma among People Infected with COVID-19 in South Korea
Authors: Yeom Seonmi , Kang No Eul , Park Keun Young
Published: September 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain a deep understanding of experiences of stigma among people infected with COVID-19 in South Korea. Methods: Data were collected through in-depth interviews from March 2021 to November 2021 with nine people who had been infected with COVID-19. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results: Six theme clusters emerged from participants' stigma experiences: “I've become the coronavirus itself”, “a desperate defense to protect myself”, “pointing a finger at oneself”, “a scapegoat for the public interest”, “the aftereffects caused by social prejudice” and “an isolated loner”. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that people infected with COVID-19 suffered considerable emotional distress and were hindered in their daily life recovery due to stigma. Based on this study, medical staff who treat patients infected with COVID-19 should understand their stigma in depth and strive to develop and implement the necessary instruments and nursing intervention programs to reduce this stigma.
Pedicled Forehead Flap for Reconstruction of Cheek Defect: A Novel Surgical Case Report
Authors: Kumar Senthil , George Rinku , Rajiah Davidson , Chandrasekaran Deepak , . Pradeep
Published: September 2022

Oral cancers are considered slow killer disease. Every year 3,00,000 cases are diagnosed worldwide. Public awareness has been a great challenge to educate people to avoid harmful oral habits to prevent oral cancer. People are not aware about life threatening complications such as death due to oral cancer. Oral cancer is the eighth most common malignancy in India and third most common malignancy in South East Asia. Buccal mucosa carcinoma spreads rapidly and invades deeply to underlying tissues and has high recurrence rate. Surgical resection is more challenging if the tumour invade adjacent anatomical structures and reconstruction should be planned according to extent of tumour resection. Regional flaps are used for oral cavity after tumour resection such as radial forearm flap, deltopectoral flap, pectoralis major flap, latissimus dorsi flap, transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap, trapezius flap. In this case report folded forehead pedicle flap was used to provide both inner and outer linings of the cheek defect following buccal mucosa tumour resection.
Blood Lead Levels in Children Living Near Lead Smelting Zone: A Pilot Field Study
Authors: Roy Kakali , Basu Surupa , Murmu Nabendu , Adhikari Jyotirmoy , Adhikari Sumantra , Kundu Ritabrata , Ghosh Apurba
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Children are most susceptible to lead toxicity. Exposure to lead in the environment still exists in various pockets of urban cities due to continued practices of using lead in jewellery making, paints, battery smelting and in cosmetics. Aim: To evaluate Blood Lead Level (BLL) and its association with haemoglobin, Red Blood Corpuscle (RBC) indices and bone parameters (vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in children residing near lead battery smelting units of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional field-based study carried out by Institute of Child Health, Kolkata. A camp was organised in the month of August 2015 at a known major cluster of secondary lead smelting area ward no. 66 in the Kolkata metropolitan district. A total of 45 camp attending children were enrolled. BLL was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and association with haematological and bone parameters were evaluated. Results: Mean age of the participants was 5.6±3.3 years, and mean BLL was 3.7±1.9 μg/dL (range:1.3-8.2). About 35 children were found to have Low BLL<5 μg/dL (LBLL, 2.88±1.08) while 10 had elevated BLL≥5 μg/dL (EBLL, 6.59±0.95) (p<0.0001). Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) was high (p=0.03) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) was low (p=0.05) in EBLL group; but there was no significant difference in haemoglobin level, compared to LBLL group. The mean vitamin D level was 15.2±8.7 ng/mL, while 23 (51%) were severely deficient without concomitant rise in parathyroid hormone (mean, 37.9±0.7 pg/mL). Calcium, phosphorous and ALP were within normal reference range. None of the bone parameters showed any correlation with BLL. Conclusion: Overall, 22% children of the cohort had elevated BLL, beyond the permissible safety limit of 5 μg/dL but within 10 µg/dL. Mildly elevated BLL relate to iron deficient hematopoiesis (increased RDW and low MCV) without any apparent affection of bone metabolism.
Maximal amenability with asymptotic orthogonality in amalgamated free products
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley, WV, 25801, U.S.A., Leary Brian
Published: September 2022

We investigate the use of Popa's asymptotic orthogonality to establish maximal amenability for amalgamated free product von Neumann algebras. Although new techniques have recently been developed to consider amalgamated free products, we find that the technique developed by Popa in the 1980s can be used to demonstrate maximal amenability for a certain family of amalgamated free product von Neumann algebras.
Dynamics of the Taylor shift on Bergman spaces
Authors:   FB IV, Mathematics, University of Trier, D-54286 Trier, Germany, Muller Jurgen , Thelen Maike ,   FB IV, Mathematics, University of Trier, D-54286 Trier, Germany
Published: September 2022

The Taylor (backward) shift on Bergman spaces Ap(Ω) for general open sets Ω in the extended complex plane shows rich variety concerning its dynamical behaviour. Different aspects are worked out, where in the case p<2 a recent result of Bayart and Matheron plays a central role.
Non-linear monotone positive maps
Authors:   Department of Mathematics and Informatics, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan and Department of Mathematical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan, Nagisa Masaru , Watatani Yasuo ,   Department of Mathematical Sciences, Kyushu University, Motooka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
Published: September 2022

e study several classes of general non-linear positive maps between C∗-algebras, which are not necessary completely positive maps. We characterize the class of the compositions of ∗-multiplicative maps and positive linear maps as the class of non-linear maps of boundedly positive type abstractly. We consider three classes of non-linear positive maps defined only on the positive cones, which are the classes of being monotone, supercongruent or concave. Any concave maps are monotone. The intersection of the monotone maps and the supercongruent maps characterizes the class of monotone Borel functional calculus. We give many examples of non-linear positive maps, which show that there exist no other relations among these three classes in general.
Almost and weakly almost periodic functions on the unitary groups of von Neumann algebras
Authors:   Institut de Mathematiques, Universite de Neuchatel, E.-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchatel, Switzerland, Jolissaint Paul
Published: September 2022

Let M⊂B(H) be a von Neumann algebra acting on the (separable) Hilbert space H. We first prove that M is finite if and only if, for every x∈M and for all vectors ξ,η∈H, the coefficient function u↦⟨uxu∗ξ|η⟩ is weakly almost periodic on the topological group UM of unitaries in M (equipped with the weak operator topology). The main device is the unique invariant mean on the C∗-algebra WAP(UM) of weakly almost periodic functions on UM. Next, we prove that every coefficient function u↦⟨uxu∗ξ|η⟩ is almost periodic if and only if M is a direct sum of a diffuse, abelian von Neumann algebra and finite-dimensional factors. Incidentally, we prove that if M is a diffuse von Neumann algebra, then its unitary group is minimally almost periodic.
Rank one density for a class of M-bases
Authors:   Chebyshev Laboratory, Saint Petersburg State University, 14th Line V.O. 29, Saint Petersburg, 199178, Russia and Saint Petersburg Department of RAS, Steklov Mathematical Institute, Fontanka 27, Saint Petersburg, 191023, Russia and Euler International Mathematical Institute, naber Pesochnaya 10, Saint Petersburg, 197022, Russia, Pyshkin Alexey
Published: September 2022

In 1990s several papers studied a strong tridiagonal M-basis that did not possess rank one density property. We offer a new method for the study of more generic finite-band M-bases, employing a graph theory framework. We determine the necessary and sufficient conditions for rank one density property in this class of M-bases. Also we give some sufficient conditions concerning k point density property.
On star moments of the compression of the free unitary Brownian motion by a free projection
Authors:   Aix-Marseille Universite, CNRS Centrale Marseille, I2M - UMR 7373, 39 rue F. Joliot Curie, 13453 Marseille, France, Demni Nizar , Hamdi Tarek ,   Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business Management, Qassim University, Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia \textit{and} Laboratoire d'Analyse Mathematiques et Applications LR11ES11, Universite de Tunis El-Manar, Tunisie
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we derive explicit expressions for some classes of ⋆-moments of a free unitary Brownian motion compressed by a free projection, using various methods. While the moments of this nonnormal operator are readily derived through analytical or combinatorial methods, we only succeeded to derive its mixed ones after solving a nonlinear partial differential equation (pde) for their generating function. We shall also give some interest in odd alternating moments. In particular, we derive a linear pde for their generating function which we solve when the rank of the projection equals~1/2.
Relative C∗-simplicity and characterizations for normal subgroups
Authors:   Department of Pure Mathematics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada, Ursu Dan
Published: September 2022

The notion of a plump subgroup was recently introduced by Amrutam. This is a relativized version of Powers' averaging property, and it is known that Powers' averaging property is equivalent to C∗-simplicity. With this in mind, we introduce a relativized notion of C∗-simplicity, and show that for normal subgroups it is equivalent to plumpness, along with several other characterizations.
Self-similarity and spectral dynamics
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, State University of New York At Albany, Albany, NY 12222, U.S.A., Goldberg Bryan , Yang Rongwei ,   Department of Mathematics, State University of New York At Albany, Albany, NY 12222, U.S.A.
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates a connection between self-similar group representations and induced rational maps on the projective space which preserve the projective spectrum of the group. The focus is on the infinite dihedral group D∞. The main theorem states that the Julia set of the induced rational map F on P2 for D∞ is the union of the projective spectrum with F's extended indeterminacy set. Moreover, the limit function of the iteration sequence {F∘n} on the Fatou set is fully described. This discovery finds an application to the Grigorchuk group G of intermediate growth and its induced rational map G on P4. In the end, the paper proposes the conjecture that G's projective spectrum is contained in the Julia set of G.
Severe COVID-19 Infection in Post Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single Centre Report
Authors: Harshit Singla , Samra T. , Mahajan V. , B. Kanwar D.
Published: September 2022

Kidney transplant recipients are immunocompromised and have been under the spotlight during the COVD-19 pandemic. In our ICU 27.7% of patients received remdesivir as compared to the previous study in which no remdesivir therapy was administered. We did not report any deterioration in renal function secondary to its administration but improved outcome in patients administered the same. Survival rates of patients are thus higher in our subset (53.6%), which included patients with only severe disease.
Effect of Different Nitrogen Concentration on Plant Growth, Yield and Quality of Sweet Potato (Ipomea Batatas [L.] Lam) Cultivated in Soilless Culture System
Authors: Suhaimi Yaseer , Izyani R. , Ismawaty N. Noor , Effendi M. N. Mohd , Nurzahidah Z. A. Siti , Al-Asyraf A. L. Zakry , Faidhi T. Muhammad , Safuraa S. Noor
Published: September 2022

The soilless culture system effectively promotes plant growth by facilitating water and nutrient uptake by plant roots. To increase sweet potato production (Ipomoea batatas), we developed containerized planting in which tuberous roots were grown in solid substrates in the polybags supplied with a nutrient solution through an irrigation system. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different nitrogen concentrations on sweet potato plant growth performance, yield, and tuber quality cultivated using a soilless culture system. The experimental setup included five treatments (T1-T5) with different levels of N (0-50-150-200-250 mg L-1), which were mixed in the nutrient solution, while P and K levels were held constant at 150 and 200 mg L-1 respectively. After three months of cultivation, there were significant differences between treatments in terms of plant growth performance, yield and tuber quality. Plants cultivated in the 250 mg L-1 of N showed the highest growth rate including plant height, shoot and leaves fresh weight, number of tillers, SPAD values, number of leaves, and diameter of tillers compared to other treatments. Data also revealed that the highest tuber yield was obtained from plants treated with 200 mg L-1 of N. Tuber harvested from the treatment of 200 mg L-1 of N showed the best quality in terms of Brix value, moisture content and tuber shape and length. Therefore, planting sweet potatoes using a soilless culture system is recommended with the application of 200 mg L-1 of N to obtain the optimum plant performance in terms of growth, yields, and tuber quality.
Estimation of Genetic Variability and Character Association for Yield Characters in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Yajavathi C. , M. Lal Gaibriyal , R. Lavanya G. , Karthik U. , Nikhil A.
Published: September 2022

The present study entitled “Estimation of genetic variability and character association for yield characters in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)” was designed to assess the extent of variability, genetic advance, heritability and correlation of different traits of 22 chickpea genotypes using randomized block design with three replications. The observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each treatment and replication for 13 different quantitative traits. Based on the mean performance, high seed yield per plant were identified for the genotype ICC-13348, GNG-469 and IPC-9-50. High estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for number of seeds per plant, biological yield per plant, seed yield per plant, Seed Index, number of pods per plant. Genetic parameters revealed that heritability and genetic advance as % mean values are high were recorded for biological yield per plant, Number of seeds per plant, seed index, Number of pods per plant. Correlation coefficient analysis revealed that seed yield per plant exhibited positive and significant association with biological yield, seed index and harvest index at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed that characters seed index, biological yield and harvest index have positive direct effect on seed yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Hence, these traits should be prelimin ary included in selection criteria for crop improvement programme in chickpea.
Preparation of Fruit Leather by Blending Guava and Papaya
Authors: Mounisha Mukthi , Mishra Saket , Vishen Gaurav Singh
Published: September 2022

The present experiment entitled “Preparation of Fruit Leather by Blending Guava and Papaya” was carried out in post-harvest lab, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom university of Agriculture Technology and sciences, during the winter season 2021-2022.The experiment was laid out in CRD (Completely Randomized Design) with 7 treatments and 3 replications. Physico - chemical and sensory parameters were observed. the evaluation for other parameters like moisture content, acidity, TSS, ascorbic acid, total sugar, pH as well as organoleptic attribute colour, flavour, taste and overall acceptability of guava and papaya leather were evaluated 0 days to 90 days of storage. The highest moisture content (16.82%) in fruit bar at 0 days of storage was recorded in T1 with (100%) guava pulp. The highest titrable acidity (1.15%) was recorded in fruit bar with 100 percent guava pulp T1 and (0.75%) in 60 percent guava pulp + 40 percent papaya pulp T3 at 90 days of storage. The highest total soluble solids 76.55°Brix was recorded in fruit bar with 60 percent guava pulp + 40 percent papaya pulp T3 and low in 71.66°Brix in 100 percent guava pulp T1 at 0 day of storage. In contrast, the lowest ascorbic acid content 109.56mg/100g was recorded in fruit bar with 100 percent guava pulp T1 at 0days of storage. The highest total sugars of (58.37) percent was recorded in fruit bar made by 60 percent guava pulp + 40 percent papaya pulp T3. The highest pH of 4.68 was recorded in fruit bar with 60 percent guava pulp + 40 percent papaya pulp T3. Overall acceptability score had decreased with the advancement of storage period. Hence, the above parameters were taken for shelf life and better quality. An overall result of guava and papaya leather was found best in the treatment T3 (Guava 60% + papaya 40%) proved to be best in terms of all aspects.
Occurrence, Physicochemical Properties and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Enteric Bacteria Isolated from Well Water in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Alajo Funmilayo Olanike , Akinyosoye Felix Akinsola
Published: September 2022

Aims: TheoCcurrence and antibiotic resistance patterns of enteric bacteria isolated from well water sources and their physicochemical profile was ascertained in this study. Molecular analysis of the bacterial isolates from well water samples was conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based identification.

Study Design: Experimental design.

Methodology: A total of 12 wells were collected in triplicates from groundwater sources (wells), and mean values were obtained. The first batch of samples were collected during the dry season in January and February, 2020. The second batch of samples were collected during the rainy season in July 2020. The detection of coliforms and other enteric bacteria were conducted via the most probable number (MPN) method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based identification and characterization of bacterial isolates were employed. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. The determination of the physicochemical properties of the well water samples were conducted following customary protocol.

Results: Well water sample 7 had the highest count at 250 bacterial counts/100ml in the dry season and 200 bacterial counts/100ml in the rainy season, while well water sample 4, 10, and 11 had 14 bacterial counts/100ml in dry season, well water sample 2 had 140 bacterial counts/100ml in the dry season and 250 bacterial counts/100ml in the rainy season, whilst sample 11 had 7 bacterial counts/100ml in the rainy season. Klebsiella pnuemoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysentariae were the Gram-negative organisms enumerated and molecularly-identified as Klebsiella pnuemoniae subsp. Pnuemoniae HS11286, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica serovar typhimurium and Shigella dysentariae HNCMB 20080 from the well water samples with percentage identity of 97.19%, 87.44%, 80.45% and 96.19% respectively. Klebsiella pnuemoniae showed high resistant rate in augmentin at 67% in dry season and 100% in the rainy season. Shigella dysentariae showed 8.3% resistance to augmentin in the dry season and 75% in the rainy season. E. coli showed 67% and 58% resistance in the dry and rainy season respectively. Water hardness had the highest mean of 98.5 and 99.5 mg/L in dry and rainy season respectively while turbidity, and alkalinity had the least mean value at 1.2 (NTU) and 0.62 mg/L, 1.4 (NTU) and 0.7mg/L in both dry and rainy seasons.

Conclusion: Findings provided information on the poor quality of the well water, which will be useful in groundwater treatment strategies and policy formulation by appropriate groundwater source protection bodies.
The Unholy Consortium between COVID-19 and Mucormycosis and Identification of Some Potential Antifungal Herbs: A Review
Authors: Yepthomi Tokika , Sharma Sanjay , Khan Arshad Alam , Salman . , Mishra Abhishek , Jain Ashita
Published: September 2022

Background: There has been a rise alarming in the number of Mucormycosis post COVID-19 infection. The enigmatic relationship between SARS CoV-2 and Mucormycosis is very complex. So far as the treatment is concerned, mankind is yet to discover a potent therapeutic drug that could effectively be used to treat this deadly fungal infection. For ages, mankind has always looked toward nature, and perhaps herbals are the best options in our quest to search for effective antifungal drugs against the ruthless and invasive Mucorales.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed database, LILACS, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar and others using key words COVID-19, SARS CoV-2, Mucormycosis, Rhizopus, vaccine, steroids, antifungal drugs and herbals. Full texts of the retrieved articles published in English were accessed.

Results: A handful of medicinal plants such as Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad, Thymus danensis and Thymus carmanicus, Thymus vulgaris L, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita and some species of pepper such as Piper sp., Piper tuberculatum and P. hispidum have all shown to have a promising antifungal effect on Mucorales fungus.

Conclusions: Limited knowledge and resources on antifungal (anti-Mucorales) due to lack of adequate research and clinical studies limits our search to identify potent antifungal herbs. An intensified research and evaluation for antifungal herbs can boost the identification, design and development of newer drugs with lesser adverse drug reactions and better mortality rate.
Validation of New Substrate Design for the Improvement of Strip Warpage on LGA Packages
Authors: Dinglasan Jerome , Mendoza Mariane
Published: September 2022

Land grid array or LGA package of semiconductor has been commonly used on our modern technology, from home gadgets up to industrial uses. Improvements to correct product defects and process issues are introduced to have quality products for customer satisfaction. Substrate warpage have been affecting production performance on semiconductor manufacturing. The unacceptable response results to loss of productivity losses and yield detraction. Different process improvements have been experimented to contain the problem, but results are not maintained and found to be not robust. This is where design innovation plays the part. Solder mask opening on the base material of the substrate is considered to have a favorable response after subjecting it to different environment conditions. From fast indexing and machine movement up to high thermal application on oven curing, having a robust solder mask design makes the unit acceptable and with quality. Product design as mentioned takes on another level to address the phenomenon of substrate warpage. This manuscript will be discussing how the solder mask of the substrate is optimized to achieved minimal or zero substrate warpage by performing different experiments on process and the product itself. Statistical analysis has been the basis for the implementation of the newly validated substrate design.
Incidence Trends of Primary Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma in the US From 2000 to 2018
Authors: Cai Zhuo Ran , Chen Michael L. , Weinstock Martin A. , Kim Youn H. , Novoa Roberto A. , Linos Eleni
Published: September 2022

Using SEER database data, this cohort study analyzed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma incidence by tumor subtype, sex, age, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography.
Evaluation of Generative Adversarial Networks for High-Resolution Synthetic Image Generation of Circumpapillary Optical Coherence Tomography Images for Glaucoma
Authors: Sreejith Kumar Ashish Jith , Chong Rachel S. , Crowston Jonathan G. , Chua Jacqueline , Bujor Inna , Husain Rahat , Vithana Eranga N. , Girard Michaël J. A. , Ting Daniel S. W. , Cheng Ching-Yu , Aung Tin , Popa-Cherecheanu Alina , Schmetterer Leopold , Wong Damon
Published: September 2022

Importance

Deep learning (DL) networks require large data sets for training, which can be challenging to collect clinically. Generative models could be used to generate large numbers of synthetic optical coherence tomography (OCT) images to train such DL networks for glaucoma detection.

Objective

To assess whether generative models can synthesize circumpapillary optic nerve head OCT images of normal and glaucomatous eyes and determine the usability of synthetic images for training DL models for glaucoma detection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Progressively growing generative adversarial network models were trained to generate circumpapillary OCT scans. Image gradeability and authenticity were evaluated on a clinical set of 100 real and 100 synthetic images by 2 clinical experts. DL networks for glaucoma detection were trained with real or synthetic images and evaluated on independent internal and external test data sets of 140 and 300 real images, respectively.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Evaluations of the clinical set between the experts were compared. Glaucoma detection performance of the DL networks was assessed using area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Class activation maps provided visualizations of the regions contributing to the respective classifications.

Results

A total of 990 normal and 862 glaucomatous eyes were analyzed. Evaluations of the clinical set were similar for gradeability (expert 1: 92.0%; expert 2: 93.0%) and authenticity (expert 1: 51.8%; expert 2: 51.3%). The best-performing DL network trained on synthetic images had AUC scores of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.99) on the internal test data set and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.93) on the external test data set, compared with AUCs of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94-0.99) on the internal test data set and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.80-0.87) on the external test data set for the network trained with real images. An increase in the AUC for the synthetic DL network was observed with the use of larger synthetic data set sizes. Class activation maps showed that the regions of the synthetic images contributing to glaucoma detection were generally similar to that of real images.

Conclusions and Relevance

DL networks trained with synthetic OCT images for glaucoma detection were comparable with networks trained with real images. These results suggest potential use of generative models in the training of DL networks and as a means of data sharing across institutions without patient information confidentiality issues.
Associations of Hearing Loss Severity and Hearing Aid Use With Hospitalization Among Older US Adults
Authors: Thai Anthony , Khan Suleman I. , Choi Jeff , Ma Yifei , Megwalu Uchechukwu C.
Published: September 2022

Importance

Hearing loss is associated with higher hospitalization risk among older adults. However, evidence on whether hearing aid use is associated with fewer hospitalizations among individuals with hearing loss remains limited.

Objective

To assess the association between audiometric hearing loss severity and hearing aid use and hospitalization.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cross-sectional study used audiometric and health care utilization data for respondents aged 65 years or older from 4 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2016. Data were analyzed from February 23, 2021, to March 22, 2022.

Exposures

Audiometric hearing loss severity and participant-reported hearing aid use.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was respondent-reported hospitalization in the past 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association of hearing loss severity with hospitalization. To assess the association of hearing aid use with hospitalization, propensity score matching was performed with 2:1 nearest neighbor matching without replacement.

Results

Of 2060 respondents (mean [SD] age, 73.9 [5.9] years; 1045 [50.7%] male), 875 (42.5%) had normal hearing, 653 (31.7%) had mild hearing loss, 435 (21.1%) had moderate hearing loss, and 97 (4.7%) had severe to profound hearing loss. On multivariable analysis, moderate and severe hearing loss were associated with hospitalization (moderate hearing loss: odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01-2.24; severe hearing loss: OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.03-2.84). Of 1185 respondents with at least mild hearing loss, 200 (16.9%) reported using a hearing aid. Propensity score–matched analysis showed that hearing aid use was not associated with hospitalization (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.74-1.84), including among respondents with moderate or severe hearing loss (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.71-1.92).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, hearing loss was associated with higher risk of hospitalization, but hearing aid use was not associated with a reduction in hospitalization risk in the population with hearing loss. The association of hearing aid use with hospitalization should be evaluated in larger prospective studies with reliable data on the frequency of hearing aid use.
Controlling Interfacial Structural Evolution in Aqueous Electrolyte via Anti‐Electrolytic Zwitterionic Waterproofing
Authors: Bo Zheng , Zhou Meiqi , Zhou Shiyuan , Song Yajing , Liu Zhu , Liao Honggang , Yang Huachao , Yan Jianhua , Cen Kefa , Fan Xiulin , Yu Qian , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Li Ju
Published: September 2022

Aqueous electrolytes are considered as an alternative to flammable and toxic organic electrolytes, whose broad applications in electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices unfortunately suffer from low electrochemical stability due to the easy electrolysis of water. Here, by performing in situ transmission electron microscope electrochemical characterizations at atomic resolution during charging/discharging, an anti‐electrolytic strategy is revealed in aqueous electrolytes via physical zwitterionic waterproofing. It is found that the zwitterionic molecules can be directionally adsorbed to the negative electrode's surface under the applied electric field, forming strings of zwitterionic molecules that extract water out from the electrode. More zwitterionic molecules further aggregate at the outer end of the strings through intermolecular electrostatic interactions, forming a waterproof layer that successfully expels water from the electrode's surface. Meanwhile, the self‐aggregation of zwitterionic additives in the bulk liquid successfully minimizes the influence on ion transport. Being intrinsically distinct from the solid electrolyte interphase concept associated with certain electrochemical reactions in organic or super‐concentrated electrolytes, the strategy is effective in improving the electrochemical stability while maintaining high ionic conductivity in various aqueous electrolytes even with a dilute concentration, shedding light on developing sustainable EES devices with high performance.