bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluación de tomografía computarizada y score SOFA pulmonar: relación de evaluación en pacientes con covid-19 y mortalidad en UCI
Authors: Martinelli Anna Laura , Bonatto Simonei , Silva Carla Luiza , Reche Pericles Martim , Sloboda Dyenily Alessi , Cavalheiro Ana Paula Garbuio
Published: April 2023

Objective: To evaluate the pulmonary severity of COVID-19 patients throug the SOFA score computed with pulmonary involvement in Chest Computed Tomography. Method: This is a descriptive epidemiological study conducted out in an Intensive Care Unit, which aimed to study the pulmonary treatment of COVID-19 patients through the calculation of the pulmonary SOFA score relating to Chest Tomography and whether these were related to clinical treatment. Results: The study population consisted of 704 patients, of which 43.7% were women and 56.2% men, with a mean age of 61 years and a mean hospitalization time of 13 days. Most patients had a pulmonary behavior of 75%, a pulmonary SOFA score of 2 and a PaO²/FiO² ratio between 100 and 200. Conclusion: Patients who had more extensive pulmonary involvement/consequently had a lower PaO²/FiO² ratio and remained longer hospitalized with a higher incidence of death.

Objetivo: Evaluar la gravedad pulmonar de pacientes con Covid-19 a través de la correlación del puntaje SOFA pulmonar con el de afectación pulmonar en Tomografía Computarizada de Tórax. Método: Se trata de un estudio epidemiológico retrospectivo analítico descriptivo realizado en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos que buscó analizar el compromiso pulmonar de pacientes con Covid a través del cálculo del SOFA pulmonar relacionando la Tomografía de Tórax y si estos tenían relación con el desenlace clínico. Resultados: La población de estudio incluyó a 704 pacientes, de los cuales el 43,7% eran mujeres y el 56,2% hombres, con una edad media de 61 años y una estancia media de 13 días. La mayoría de la población presentó afectación pulmonar del 75%, puntuación SOFA pulmonar de 2 y relación PaO²/FiO² entre 100 y 200. Conclusión: Los pacientes que tenían afectación pulmonar más extensa en consecuencia tenían menor relación PaO²/FiO² y permanecían hospitalizados por un tiempo más largo con una mayor incidencia de muerte.
Validación del Instrumento: Conocimiento y Actitud de Enfermería para la prevención del Pie diabético
Authors: Sarmiento Luna Flor Beatriz , Nava-Navarro Vianet , Báez-Hernández Francisco Javier , Morales-Nieto Arelia , Blanco-Álvarez Víctor Manuel
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased drastically, and people who suffer from this metabolic and chronic disease present alterations such as neuropathy and reduced blood flow, which increase the risk of diabetic foot, and thus its prevention is important. The objective was to perform the validation of a knowledge and attitude instrument for nurses for the prevention of the diabetic foot.Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was carried out using a population of 148 nursing professionals working in a first-level care facility in the State of Puebla.Results: A valid and reliable instrument was obtained, with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of .84 for the knowledge subscale and of .62 for the attitude subscale, and a value of p<.000 in the Bartlett sphericity test and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test. The values of the Kiaser-Meyer-Olkin test were .863 for the knowledge subscale and .563 for the attitude subscale.Discussion: We contribute with an instrument adapted and valid for the Mexican context, which allows measuring the knowledge and attitude variables for the prevention of the diabetic foot.Conclusion: The empirical indicator adapted to the Spanish language, which measures the study variables in nursing professionals, emphasizes the importance of knowledge translation and application of evidence-based practice in diabetic foot prevention.

Introducción: La prevalencia de diabetes tipo 2 ha aumentado drásticamente, las personas que padecen esta enfermedad metabólica y crónica presentan alteraciones como neuropatía y reducción del flujo sanguíneo, lo que aumenta el riesgo de presentar pie diabético, por lo cual resulta de importancia su prevención. El objetivo fue realizar la validación del instrumento conocimiento y actitud de enfermería para la prevención del pie diabético.Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal, con un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, la población fue de 148 profesionales de enfermería que laboran en un primer nivel de atención en el Estado de Puebla.Resultados: Se obtuvo un instrumento válido y confiable, con un coeficiente de Alfa de Cronbach en la subescala de conocimiento de .84 y en actitud de .62, un valor de p<.000 para la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett y la prueba de Kaiser-Meyer Olkin se obtuvo un resultado de .863 en la subescala de conocimiento, mientras que para la de actitud fue de .563.Discusión: Se contribuyó con un instrumento adaptado y valido al contexto mexicano, lo que permite medir las variables conocimiento y actitud para la prevención del pie diabético.Conclusión: El indicador empírico adaptado al idioma español, que mide las variables de estudio en los profesionales de enfermería, enfatiza la importancia de la traducción del conocimiento y aplicación de la práctica basada en evidencia en la prevención del pie diabético.
Tendencias en la mortalidad materna en el departamento de Córdoba – Colombia, 2008 – 2020
Authors: Ramos Lafont Claudia Patricia , Montenegro Martínez Gino
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Maternal mortality is recognized worldwide as a public health issue, a situation that has been addressed by the United Nations (UN) including its reduction within the third objective of sustainable development. Likewise, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have been in charge of establishing programs focusing on promoting and improving maternal health.Objective: Analyze the evolution of maternal mortality in the department of Córdoba - Colombia in the period 2008 to 2020 and identify changes in the trend.Method: Ecological with retrospective information. The maternal mortality ratio was calculated for the department of Córdoba and for Colombia for the period 2008 - 2020. Using joinpoint regression, the Annual Percentage Change (APC) of the ratio was estimated and inflection points were identified.Results: The results of the study show two periods with an increasing trend for the department of Córdoba: the first between 2008 and 2010 with a PCA of 8.3 (95% CI: -71.3 – 462.6) and the second between 2018 and 2020 with a APC of 20.8 (CI95% -63.3 – 297.3). However, the p value in both time periods is not statistically significant.Conclusions: The MMR in the department of Córdoba presents a fluctuating behavior with large increases and sudden decreases that suggest deficiencies in the recording of information and in the notification of the event.

Introducción: La mortalidad materna es reconocida globalmente como un problema de salud pública, situación que ha sido abordada por la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU) incluyendo su reducción dentro del tercer Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible. Así mismo, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) se han ocupado de instaurar programas encaminados a promover y mejorar la salud materna.Objetivo: Analizar la evolución de la mortalidad materna en el departamento de Córdoba – Colombia en el periodo 2008 a 2020 e identificar los cambios en la tendencia.Método: Ecológico con información retrospectiva. Se calculó la razón de mortalidad materna para el departamento de Córdoba y para Colombia para el periodo 2008 - 2020. Mediante la regresión joinpoint se estimó el Porcentaje de Cambio Anual (PCA) de la razón y se identificaron puntos de inflexión.Resultados: Los resultados del estudio evidencian para el departamento de Córdoba dos periodos con tendencia creciente: el primero entre el 2008 y 2010 con un PCA de 8,3 (IC95%: -71,3 – 462,6) y el segundo 2018 y 2020 con un PCA de 20,8 (IC95% -63,3 – 297,3). Sin embargo, el valor de p en ambos periodos de tiempo no resulta estadísticamente significativo.Conclusiones: La RMM en el departamento de Córdoba presenta un comportamiento fluctuante con grandes aumentos y repentinos descensos que sugieren deficiencias en el registro de la información y en la notificación del evento.
The Impact of ESG Factors on Company Share Prices in the European Energy Sector
Authors:   Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, Poland, Drab Aneta
Published: April 2023

ESG factors are increasingly becoming an inseparable part in company reports. Despite many difficulties connected with reporting of non-financial activities, there are more and more companies which undertake this difficult task each year. This kind of information is especially important for contemporary investors, who do not only look at the profit on a given investment, but pay more and more attention to the company’s image, methods of operation, approach to employees and the closer and farther environment. The hypothesis was as follows: the ESG factors have an increasing influence on stock prices. A panel study was used for the analysis. The study covered European energy companies which closed their financial year at the end of the calendar years 2010–2021. However, the results of the study did not reliably reflect the impact of ESG on the achieved rates of return because only in the last few years have they begun to gain significance. Previously, their impact was too weak to be shown in studies on larger samples.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Weak-Form Informational Efficiency of the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors:   Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, Karasiński Jacek
Published: April 2023

The aim of this paper is to verify whether the COVID-19 outbreak negatively affected the weak-form informational efficiency of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). Applying a wild bootstrapped automatic variance ratio test and the rolling window methodology, we verify the martingale hypothesis for daily returns of 437 stocks listed on the Main Market of the WSE i n a research period beginning on January 2nd, 2015 and ending on August 31st, 2020. The percentage of cases in which the martingale hypothesis cannot be rejected is our proxy for the weak-form informational efficiency that we come up with. Despite the rapid and significant price movements, as well as the rise of returns volatility (and thus a likely herd behavior of the market participants), the results obtained do not allow for stating unambiguously that the COVID-19 outbreak negatively affected the weak-form informational efficiency of the WSE. The results turned out to be sector-dependent. Future issue-related studies can apply other proxies of efficiency levels as a unique proxy applied in this study is based only on a wild bootstrapped automatic variance ratio test. The issue-related studies should be also continued as the pandemic is still an ongoing issue. This study comes up with a novel approach to approximating the weak-form informational efficiency, provides regulators, as well as other market participants with valuable information on the WSE efficiency changes in the COVID-19 pandemic times and even its long-term trends.
Marketing relacji w pracy brokera innowacji
Authors:   Wydział Nauk Ekonomicznych i Zarządzania, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Szczepkowski Jakub
Published: April 2023

W procesie komercjalizacji badań naukowych z udziałem przedstawicieli biznesu ważną rolę odgrywa broker innowacji. Jest on łącznikiem pomiędzy dwoma światami – nauki i biznesu. Głównym zadaniem brokerów innowacji jest budowanie relacji zarówno z naukowcami, jak i z otoczeniem społeczno-gospodarczym. Długotrwałe relacje oparte na lojalności i zaufaniu stanowią kwintesencję marketingu relacji. Czy zatem w codziennej pracy brokera innowacji można wykorzystać elementy marketingu relacji? Celem niniejszego artykułu jest podjęcie próby zidentyfikowania czy brokerzy innowacji na polskich uczelniach objętych programem „Inicjatywa Doskonałości – Uczelnia Badawcza”, nawiązując i budując relacje z przedstawicielami świata nauki i biznesu, wykorzystują koncepcję marketingu relacji, a także określenie wpływu pandemii koronawirusa na te relacje w trakcie jej trwania oraz po jej zakończeniu. Przeprowadzono badania jakościowe, które miały charakter eksploracyjny, z wykorzystaniem internetowego kwestionariusza ankiety z pytaniami otwartymi. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że strategia marketingu relacji znajduje zastosowanie w pracy brokera innowacji.
Budowa strategii wspierającej organizacyjne uczenie się w administracji publicznej. Metoda prac i wnioski z projektu FITOEXPORT
Authors:   Wydział Zarządzania, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Polska, Rosiak Tomasz
Published: April 2023

Wpływ gospodarki opartej na wiedzy na współczesne organizacje jest bezdyskusyjny. Biznes często próbuje odpowiedzieć na te wyzwania próbą budowy organizacji uczącej się. Sama koncepcja nie jest sprawą nową i rozwijana jest mniej więcej od początku XX wieku. Wydaje się jednak, że jej zalety ciągle nabierają wartości dla coraz większej liczby organizacji. Uczenie się organizacji można zdefiniować jako obszar do zgłębienia poznawczych i społecznych procesów tworzenia wiedzy w organizacjach, które są uwikłane w praktyki organizowania i wykonywania pracy (Gomes & Wojahn, 2017). W przypadku przedsiębiorstw koncepcja organizacji uczącej się raczej nie powinna więc stanowić novum. Zdolność do uczenia się i doskonalenia swojego działania (continuous improvement) ma wpływ nie tylko na innowacyjność przedsiębiorstwa, rozumianą jako zdolność do dostarczania nowoczesnych produktów. Jest to także sposób organizacji modelu biznesowego, dopasowania do preferencji poszczególnych segmentów klientów, ale również i odpowiedź na oczekiwania pracowników młodszych generacji. Wydaje się, że wyłaniające się pytanie nie polega na tym czy administracja publiczna również powinna podążać tym śladem, lecz w jaki sposób mogłaby to zrobić. Niniejsza praca stanowi studium przypadku dokumentujące proces powstawania strategii organu administracji publicznej, która ukierunkowana została na organizacyjne uczenie się. Zadanie to choć niełatwe, może przynieść wiele korzyści. Kluczem do ich osiągnięcia jest odpowiednie zaprojektowanie prac i możliwość szybkiego przejścia od fazy projektowania do wdrożenia.
Improving structure design of active region of InAs quantum dots by using InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattice
Authors: Du An-Tian , Liu Ruo-Tao , Cao Chun-Fang , Han Shi-Xian , Wang Hai-Long , Gong Qian ,   Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Polarization and Information Technology, School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China,   Key Laboratory of Terahertz Solid State Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China,   Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: April 2023

A 1.3-μm InAs quantum dot laser has been successfully fabricated on a GaAs(100) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique through using InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattices instead of the conventional InGaAs layer. The samples grown by conventional growth method and the digital alloy superlattice growth method are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. It is found that 8-period sample possesses a low quantum dot density and poor luminescence performance. With the increase of the number of growth periods, the quantum dot density of the sample increases and the luminous performance improves. This indicates that the quality of the grown sample improves with the increase of InAs/GaAs period of the InGaAs layer. When the total InAs/GaAs period is 32, the quantum dot density of the sample is high and the luminescence performance is good. After the experimental measurement, the sample DAL-0 fabricated by conventional growth method and the sample DAL-32 (32-periods InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattices) are utilized to fabricate quantum dot laser by standard process. The performances of two types of quantum dot lasers obtained with different growth methods are characterized. It is found that the InAs quantum dot lasers fabricated by the sample grown by digital alloy superlattice method have good performances. Under continuous wave operation mode, the threshold current is 24 mA corresponding to a threshold current density of 75 A/cm2. The highest operation-temperature reaches 120 ℃. In addition, InAs quantum dot laser using digital alloy superlattice has good temperature stability. Its characteristic temperature is 55.4 K. Compared with the traditional laser, the InAs quantum dot laser grown by InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattice has good performance in terms of threshold current density, output power and temperature stability, which indicates that high-quality laser can be obtained by this growth method. Using the InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattice growth method, the InGaAs composition can be changed without changing the temperature of the source oven. Thus InAs quantum dot lasers with different luminescence wavelengths can be obtained through this growth method. The InAs/GaAs digital alloy superlattice structure can be used to realize different averaging of In content in the growth structure. The method provides a new idea for designing and growing the active region of quantum dot laser.
Thermoelectric properties of acene molecular junctions
Authors: Xie Zhong-Xiang , Yu Xia , Jia Pin-Zhen , Chen Xue-Kun , Deng Yuan-Xiang , Zhang Yong , Zhou Wu-Xing ,   School of Science, Hunan Institute of Technology, Hengyang 421002, China,   School of Mathematics and Physics, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China,   School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China
Published: April 2023

By using non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we investigate the thermoelectric properties of molecular junctions based on acene-linked graphene nanoribbons. The effects of the length of the acene molecule, the contact position between the acene molecule and graphene nanoribbon electrode on the thermoelectric parameters are mainly considered in this work. It is found that the phonon contribution is dominant in the thermal conductance corresponding to the maximum of the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZTmax). As the length of the acene molecule increases, the phonon thermal conductance decreases monotonically, and eventually becomes almost independent of the acene molecule’ length. When the acene molecules contact the middle (upper) part of the left (right) electrode of graphene nanoribbon, the corresponding ZTmax is the highest. However, when the acene molecules contact the middle (middle) part of the left (right) electrode of graphene nanoribbons, the corresponding ZTmax is the lowest. As the temperature increases, ZTmax has a monotonically increasing tendency, regardless of the contact position. With the increase of the length of the acene molecule, the chemical potential corresponding to ZTmax becomes closer to the intrinsic Fermi level. The above findings may provide the valuable reference for the future design of thermoelectric devices based on the acene molecular junctions.
On intuitionistic L-fuzzy socle of modules
Authors:   Post-Graduate Department of Mathematics, D.A.V. College, Jalandhar, Punjab, India, Sharma P. K.
Published: April 2023

In this paper we try to study the intuitionistic 𝐿-fuzzy aspects of socle of modules over rings. We demonstrate some properties of a socle of intuitionistic 𝐿-fuzzy submodules and their relations with intuitionistic 𝐿-fuzzy essential submodules and a family of intuitionistic 𝐿-fuzzy complemented submodules of a module. Some related results are also established.
Towards a typology of humorous wartime tweets
Authors: Yehorova Olesia , Prokopenko Antonina , Zinchenko Anna
Published: April 2023

The idea of this research was born on 26 May 2022. The following day, we saw Elon Musk’s tweet from 26 May 2022: ‘Politics is a sadness generator’. We accepted the challenge to refute the statement and to prove that there is much space for humour in the political discourse. The study focuses on humorous tweets produced in the period of the first 100 days of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the criteria according to which they may be classified for further analysis. The literature overview proves that humour has been extensively approached by different researchers from a multidisciplinary perspective; in particular, numerous attempts were made to classify humour and its manifestations. In this research, we approached the Twitter activity of Ukrainian politicians as fragments of political discourse. In particular, we extracted humorous tweets and organised a sample that underwent further categorisation and interpretation with reference to existing typologies and theories of humour. The study discusses the roles the politicians assume while producing and spreading humour on Twitter, features the key subject fields and objects of ridicule in the wartime tweets, gives an insight into the communicative value of such tweets and suggests potential readership classes. Finally, the study seeks to prove the flexibility and adaptability of humour styles to the socio-political context and wartime communication that project public aggressiveness, self-relief and self-enhancement
Análise do aproveitamento de água da chuva para fins não potáveis em praça municipal de concórdia, Santa Catarina
Authors: Tobias Michele , Zini Patrícia Aparecida , Mores Rúbia , Schuck Aline
Published: April 2023

O aumento de áreas pavimentadas nas cidades está diretamente relacionado com alagamentos, concentrando volumes escoados em áreas com baixas taxas de infiltração. Em busca de ações que possibilitem o amortecimento do volume escoado e com possibilidade de uso dessa água são empregadas as técnicas compensatórias de drenagem, alternativas cuja as funções poderão ser de armazenamento, e ou infiltração. Neste contexto, esse trabalho teve como objetivo dimensionar um sistema de captação de águas pluviais para fins não potáveis para a Praça Dogello Goss, pertencente ao município de Concórdia, Santa Catarina. Para isso em um primeiro momento, foi realizado o levantamento do volume de escoamento superficial produzido na praça, considerando a precipitação do 2018. Posteriormente, baseado na literatura estimou-se o volume de água necessário para rega de jardins e gramados, bem como para lavagem de calçadas. E por fim, dimensionou-se um sistema de armazenamento e pré-tratamento de água pluvial, constituído por uma cisterna seguido de um filtro de pedra. De acordo com resultados obtidos, identificou-se que com a área impermeabilizada disponível na praça, precipitações superiores a 5 mm h-1 geram escoamento no qual possibilita o armazenado de água pluvial. Esse volume precipitado é frequente na região. Considerando os usos de água da praça para fins não potáveis (regas de jardins e lavagem de calçadas) a demanda semanal da praça foi de 14,6 m³. Diante dessa demanda a cisterna dimensionada apresentou um volume útil de 30 m³, sendo que esse volume está vinculado com um tempo de armazenamento de água de no mínimo 15 dias. Por fim destaca-se, que a utilização de um sistema de armazenamento e pré-tratamento associado da reutilização de água para fins não potáveis na praça estuada, diminuiu em média 8% do volume de escoamento gerado na área impermeável da praça, indicando ser uma boa alternativa para contribuir na drenagem urbana das cidades urbanizadas.
Comparing the Timbre of Different Musical Sounds used in Music Therapy and its Effect on the Quality of Sleep in Medical Students with Insomnia- A Prospective Interventional Study
Authors: Ragavan Amritha Varshini , Kaniethapriya AS , Premananth P , Anu S , Anto J Vijay
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Stress and the pressure to perform in a competitive world has led to a rise in insomnia cases, especially in medical students. Music serves as a great alternative or additional therapy and hence, specifying the details of the type of music and creating a standard set of musical parameters, e.g., a specific value for tempo that sleep music should have. This will make it a more viable and clear option. One of these important but minimally explored aspects is timbre of music. Aim: To assess and compare the effect of timbre of different musical sounds on an individual’s quality of sleep, duration and day time sleepiness. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional (community trial) study was done in the Department of Physiology, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India for three weeks. Hundred medical students having insomnia were chosen and split into five groups: Group A-Sitar, B-violin, C-vocal, D-flute and E-control. Groups A-D had to listen to tracks with an assigned timbre for 20 minutes before going to sleep daily for three weeks. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to assess sleep quality, duration and day time sleepiness. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyse the results. Results: Sleep quality improved with sitar being the one that improved the quality the most, followed by violin, then flute and finally, vocal (p-value=0.001). Sleep duration improved with sitar being the one that showed the most improvement, followed by flute, then violin and finally, vocal (p-value=0.001). Daytime sleepiness decreased with sitar being the one that decreased it the most, followed by violin, then flute and lastly, vocal (p-value=0.021). Conclusion: The most effective timbre in improving sleep quality, duration and reducing day time sleepiness was Sitar and the least effective was vocal.
Success and Acceptability of Stainless Steel Crowns placed by using Hall Technique with Modifications: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Arepogu Dhigvijay , Nirmala SVSG , Shaik Inthihas , Nuvvula Sivakumar
Published: April 2023

Introduction: High frequency of caries in primary teeth and its inadequate treatment is major public health problem, that significantly affecting children’s lives. The Hall Technique (HT) is a novel method of caries management for treating primary molars compared to conventional treatment techniques used in primary health care settings. It is one of the methods used for biological sealing in carious primary molars, in which bacteria will be sealed from the oral environment thereby inactivating the carious lesion. This technique also increases the child’s compliance and operator comfort as the local anaesthetic administration is eliminated. Aim: To prospectively evaluate the clinical success and failure rate, and acceptability of Stainless Steel Crowns (SSC) placed using Hall Technique (HT) and with Modified Hall Technique (MHT) in rural school children aged 6-9 years. Materials and Methods: In a school-based setting, a randomised clinical trial was done on a total of 60 children (60 teeth) aged 6-9 years, who were randomly divided into two groups, 30 in each. In Group A (HT)- crowns were placed using the HT and in Group B (MHT)- MHT and follow-up were done at 3, 6, and 12 months. The acceptability of the technique for both the parents and children was evaluated with the questionnaire. The data analysis was carried out using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 21). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: In the HT group, the majority of crowns 26 (86.7%) were successful with 2 (6.6%) minor failures and 2 (6.6%) major failures, whereas the MHT group showed 100% success with no failures. On comparing Group A with Group B no significant differences were observed (p>0.05). Children’s acceptability and preference were more towards the MHT. Conclusion: The MHT was well accepted by children and the parents showed preference towards both the techniques.
Restoring Teeth Aids in Restoring Identity- Role of Restorative Dentistry in Forensic Odontology
Authors: Majumder Hrishita , Sharma Anupam Sandeep , Jadhav Aniket , Deshpande Sushmita Sudarshan , Kadam Manali Suresh
Published: April 2023

Forensic odontology is a relatively new branch in the field of dentistry that has opened a new horizon for many dentists. With a surge of crime rates and lawsuits in the world, the need for specialists to help in identification of post mortem remains has increased. The reason for forensic odontology as an up-and-coming field in recent times is because teeth and the surrounding orofacial structures, similar to fingerprints, are unique features and can be used for definitive identification. This uniqueness can be attributed to variations in morphology, size and different treatment history of every individual. Teeth are a good source of data for post mortem studies as they are durable structures and are able to resist decomposition. For this reason, forensic odontology has become a promising field in recent times. Materials used to restore teeth have also shown durability in adverse conditions and increase the variations that can help in identification as restorations can be considered as unique features. The aim of this review article is to describe the various ways restorative materials can aid in identification of individuals.
Utility of Prognostic Scoring System Based on Histomorphological Parameters in Lowgrade Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Kumar Aneesha Asok , Kulath Faseela Kalayam , Sideeque Asiq , Gopalakrishnan Nisha Thattamparambil , Chandran Akhil
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Percentage of gland formation is the only valid parameter for histologic grading of CRC . Tumour budding and Tumour-infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) are emerging prognostic factors in CRC. In recent years high grade CRC has become subject to more precise molecular grading strategies. However low grade cases show in homogenous outcome due to still insufficient categorization. The focus of this study is to determine whether the combination of amount of gland formation, budding, and TILs will allow us to further characterize large in homogenous group of WHO low-grade cases into prognostically significant subgroups. Aim: To estimate the significance of tumour budding and TILs in low-grade CRC and to categorise low-grade CRC into prognostic subgroups taking into account 3 histologic parameters-gland formation, tumour budding and TIL. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in the Department of Pathology, MES Medical College, Malappuram, Kerala, India. It was an ambispective study (retrospective from January 2015 to December 2021 and prospective from December 2021 to March 2022) which analysed 105 World Health Organization (WHO) low-grade CRC cases. The demographic data of the patients was collected and histopathological assessment of tumour grade, pT, pN, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and tumour budding (TB) was done on Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained sections. A morphology-based risk score was developed taking into account 3 parameters- percentage of gland formation, budding, and TIL. For each parameter, 1 to 2 points were given, resulting in a sum score, dividing the CRC cases into a low-, an intermediate-, and a high-risk group. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25. The results were expressed as numbers and percentage. Pearson Chi-square test was used to test the relationship. Results: In the present study degree of budding significantly associated with pT stage (p=0.02), pN stage (p=0.042) and LVI (p=0.038). TIL also differed significantly with pT (p=0.001) pN (p=0.042) and LVI (p=0.004). Applying the prognostic scoring to 105 cases, 33 (31.4%) cases showed high score, 30 (28.6%) cases were of intermediate score and 42 (40%) cases showed low score. The 3 groups differs significantly with pT (0.027), pN (0.035) and LVI (0.015). Conclusion: The present study showed combining different morphological parameters of tumour and tumour environment can help to further subdivide CRC into prognostically significant subgroups.
Assessment of Awareness on Drug Delivery System among Oral Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mahesh KP , Viveka S
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The technique or approach used to provide pharmaceutical drugs to achieve a therapeutic effect in people or animals is known as drug delivery. Local anaesthetics, Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics are the most generally recommended medicines in dentistry. Dentists must be upto date on dosage formulations and various drug delivery methods. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge about the Drug Delivery System (DDS) among oral healthcare professionals. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 75 dental students and oral healthcare professionals of both genders, in population, Mysore, India. A questionnaire consisting of 12 dichotomous ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions were used in the study. The study population was obtained by convenient random sampling. The questionnaire was created and verified by healthcare professionals with extensive teaching and clinical experience. The responses received during the period from August 2022 to September 2022 were subjected to statistical analysis. The study was analysed by descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. Results: All the 75 participants responded to the questionnaire and the response rate was 100%. The mean age of the participants in the present study was 22±2.3 years. A 92.00% (n=69) participants knew about various drug interactions. The participants had less knowledge about recent nanobased drug delivery. Only 42.66% (n=32) were acquainted with microneedle based transdermal delivery system, 33.33% (n=25) about nanocrystals and 21.33% (n=16) about 3D printing technology in DDS. A 97.33% (n=73) of the participated subjects thought that selection of appropriate DDS plays a role in its therapeutic efficacy. Conclusion: The recent advances in drug delivery methods are of little interest among the participants in the present study. Participants in our survey demonstrated a lack of basic and fundamental understanding of nanotechnologies, highlighting the critical need for increased awareness. This article has highlighted the importance of knowing various drug delivery methods and the current trends in approaches.
A Comparative Study to Assess Parathyroid Hormone Status in Different Age Groups of b-Thalassaemia Major Individuals from Eastern India
Authors: Banerjee Susmita , Dasgupta Anindya
Published: April 2023

Introduction: β-thalassaemia major, due to imbalance, missing or deficiency of β-globin chain synthesis pathway, is marked as a hereditary disorder. Homozygous state presents with severe anaemia. Regular blood transfusions and chelation therapy increase the life expectancy in thalassaemia patients. Due to recent advances in the treatment paradigm of β-thalassaemia major patients, there has been a significant increase in their lifespan but, due to the treatment related iron overload, endocrine defects like hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and Hypoparathyroidism (HPT) have been seen to progress. Diverse studies state the occurrence of HPT to be from none upto almost 22.5% in patients. It has also been recognised that asymptomatic hypocalcaemia is much more common and can be overlooked unless precisely viewed. Aim: To estimate and compare the biochemical parameters related to bone turnover in regularly transfused thalassaemia patients in different age groups and to find out significant correlation among the biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted at Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from January 2017 till January 2018, 100 β-thalassaemia major patients were enrolled. Serum Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), serum ferritin, ionic calcium (Ca2+), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), phosphorus (P) and 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were estimated in these patients. Statistical evaluation was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 12.0. Result was reported as mean±SD. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the association of serum ferritin levels and parathormone levels. The p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of 100 patients, 19 patients had HPT. The mean age was found to be 12.6 years on diagnosis, mean ionised calcium was 0.95 mmol/L, mean serum ferritin was 3045 μg/L (range 1209-10,000 µg/L) and mean serum phosphate was 1.88 mmol/L (range 1.50-2.73 mmol/L). Serum PTH values of 7.04 pg/mL was found to be low. Negative correlation serum PTH and ferritin levels were found. Significant higher values of mean serum ferritin (2789 μg/L) and lower values of parathormone (17.13 pg/mL) was found in the age group of 11-18 years as compared to the other age group of ≤10 years with serum ferritin and parathormones values being 1648 μg/L and 23.44 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Regularly transfused β-thalassaemia major patients, inspite of receiving chelation therapy tend to develop altered calcium and vitamin D homeostasis once they enter second decade of life. Thereby, biochemical parameters related to bone profile which includes ionic calcium, vitamin D, phosphate and parathyroid hormones levels should stringently monitored once the patient crosses first decade of life to prevent any development of hypocalcaemia or overt HPT.
Forecasting Groundnut Area, Production and Productivity in Rajasthan, India using ARIMA Model
Authors: Bhusanar S. B. , Meena Satyveer Singh
Published: April 2023

This paper presents an analysis of the area, production and productivity of groundnut in Rajasthan over the last thirty years and a forecast of these variables using the auto regressing integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Descriptive statistics show that there was a large fluctuation in the lowest and maximum values of area, production, and productivity of groundnut in Rajasthan over the period of last thirty years. The ARIMA model was used to forecast the area, production, and productivity of groundnut in Rajasthan. The parameter estimates of the ARIMA model were used to determine the model fit statistics, including the R-squared value, which indicates how well the model fits the data. The Ljung-Box Q Statistics and the corresponding Sig. indicate that there is no significant autocorrelation in the residuals of the model. Finally, forecasts for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 are presented, along with their corresponding upper and lower confidence limits. The results indicate that there is a considerable upward trend in area, production, and productivity of groundnut in Rajasthan over the last thirty years. The ARIMA model was found to be successful in forecasting the area, production, and productivity of ground. The findings of this paper can help in the formulation of better policies for groundnut production in Rajasthan.
Analysis of Credit Management Techniques on the Financial Performance of Logistics Firms in Mombasa County Kenya
Authors: Omune Michael Ochieng , Abuga Isaac Mokono
Published: April 2023

Financial performance depicts survival rate of any business enterprise. This rate for most firms internationally have been at a declining rate of 70% and 80% mostly in the sub- Saharan Africa. The Logistic firms in Kenya Mombasa County have been striving to survive reasons among other factors the deteriorating credit management techniques. The adverse performance is evidenced by the collapse and the closure of a number of logistics firms. The purpose of this research was to analyze the various credit management techniques and their influence on financial performance of logistics companies in Mombasa County. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze effect of appraisal process, credit risk control, collection policy and terms of credit on financial performance. The study was based on the following theories Agency Theory, Credit Risk Theory, Tax Theory of Credit, Portfolio Theory and Asymmetric information Theory to ascertain if their presumptions explains best the relationship between credit management techniques on financial performance of logistic firms. The study applied a descriptive research design and will target a population of 248 employees of logistics firms in Mombasa County registered under KIFWA and the sample size of 160 obtained through stratified sampling. The collection of data was done through primary data collection methods. Primary data was amassed through the administration of questionnaires to senior managers and officers in the finance department. Analysis of data was done through Statistical Packages for Social science (SPSS) representing descriptive statistics such as percentages, measures of central tendencies, variation measures and frequencies distribution. The interpretation was based on descriptive statistics and the measures of dispersion as well as inferential statistics were used Pilot test was carried out to ensure the accuracy and validity of the research tools Multi linear regression model was used to analyze effect of credit management techniques on financial performance. The research sought to analyze whether client appraisal process credit risk control collection policy and terms of credit has significant effects on financial performance of logistics firms in Mombasa County. The study further sought recommendation on how a robust credit control mechanism sound credit policies acceptable terms of credit and proper client appraisal process can be applied in credit management to enhance financial performance of logistics firms in Mombasa County. The beneficiaries of the study were the Logistics firms’ managers, Policy makers financial managers scholars and academicians.
Fluid and Lithology Discrimination for Reservoir Characterization of HAX Field, Offshore Niger Delta
Authors: Umeadi E. V. , Balogun A. O.
Published: April 2023

Fluid and lithology discrimination for reservoir characterization of HAX field, offshore Niger Delta was carried out in this study. Three reservoir intervals, R_4500, R_5500, and R_6500 were picked, identified, and correlated across the four wells; but only the R_5500 reservoir was analyzed. The cross-plot analysis of elastic rock properties with reservoir properties such as Vp/Vs ratio against Acoustic Impedance, Lambda-Rho against Vp/Vs, Mu-Rho against Density, and Lambda-Rho against Mu-Rho colour-coded by gamma ray, water saturation, and density respectively was carried out for fluid and lithology discrimination. The result of these elastic rock properties when colour-coded with gamma ray distinguished reservoir R_5500 into the sand zone and shale zone for the four wells, these results depict lithology discrimination as predominantly found in the Niger Delta basin. Consequently, when colour–coded by water saturation reservoir R_5500 was distinguished into three zones namely the hydrocarbon bearing zone, brine sand zone and shale zone indicative of both lithology and fluid discrimination. From these cross-plots, the clusters with the least water saturation correspond to highly charged hydrocarbon saturation sand while clusters with maximum water saturation correspond to non-hydrocarbon zone (brine sand and shale). Finally, when colour–coded by density reservoir R_5500 was distinguished into four zones namely gas sand zone and oil sand zone, brine sand zone, and shale zone indicating fluid types. The result shows relatively lower Acoustic Impedance, Vp/Vs ratio, lambda-rho, mu-rho, and density (as the colour-code) values indicating hydrocarbon bearing sand while the relatively higher Acoustic Impedance, Vp/Vs ratio, lambda-rho, mu-rho and density (as the colour-code) values are associated with non-hydrocarbon zone (shale and brine sand). This study has been able to discriminate hydrocarbon reservoirs using the cross-plots of elastic rock properties in the zone of interest and proven that the HAX field is viable in terms of hydrocarbon prospects and highly economical for production.
Artificial Intelligence in Health Sector: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Nallamothu Phani Teja , Cuthrell Kimberly Morton
Published: April 2023

The developing fields of artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning (ML) offer a significant potential to improve healthcare services. Many areas of clinical practice, scientific research, and healthcare management have included AI/ML techniques. Screening and daily fitness monitoring, diagnostic services in gastroenterology, pathology, and radiology, as well as support for clinical decision-making and palliative care, are the main categories involved. However, there are significant obstacles to the widespread use of AI/ML in healthcare, including higher installation and maintenance costs, potentially harmful medical mistakes, a lack of ethical frameworks for AI, unemployment, and reduced capacity building within the human workforce. Many business initiatives have now been created in the field of healthcare AI/ML innovation. They offer everything from advanced diagnostics to vitals monitoring in their products and services. In short, AI/ML may be extremely important in addressing the difficulties with complexity and the explosion of data in the healthcare system. AI/ML is a component of contemporary healthcare, and its further adoption is contingent on thoroughly addressing pertinent issues.
Efficacy of Some Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques against Okra Shoot and Fruit Borer (Earias vittella Fab.)
Authors: Khan Md. Shahidul Islam , Hossain Md. Emam , Amin Ruhul , Akter Sharmin
Published: April 2023

The experiment was laid out at the central field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh during February 2022 to June 2022 to determine the efficacy of some integrated pest management tools against okra shoot and fruit borer (Earias vittella Fab.) in okra. The study comprised of seven treatments, viz. T1= Barrier crop (maize), T2= T-Bird perches 2m long@ 3/plot at distinct distances, T3= Pheromone trap@ 15/ha with lures, T4= Hand picking of larvae at regular basis, T5= Bacillus thuringiesis through two applications of Bt toxin on vegetative and flowering stage@ 1g/liter of water, T6= Proclaim 5 SG (Emamectin Benzoate) @ 1g/liter of water and NLE (neem leaf extract) @ 3g/liter of water, T7= untreated control. All the sprayings were done at 7 days interval. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. All the treatments were applied in okra at different developmental stages against shoot and fruit borer. Among the treatments, T6 gave maximum number of shoots (15.07) with less infested shoots (1.95) and infestation percentage was minimum (12.93). At the same time, the highest shoot infestation percentage (63.40) was also recorded from T7 treatment. The minimum fruit infestation (8.77) was also obtained from T6 treatment with minimum fruit infestation percentage (24.89), whereas; again, T7 illustrated maximum infestation percentage (44.36) of fruit. The treatment T6 yielded maximum (14.78 t/ha) okra that is very close to T5 (13.72 t/ha) and T4 (13.50 t/ha). So, the treatment T6 showed the best performance compared to rest other treatments. But considering the environmental and human health issues, farmers can use the T5 and T4 as they don’t involve any risk factor compared to chemical pesticides as well as their yield is approximately same as to T6 treatment.