bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improvement Framework for Maintenance Management
Authors: da Silva Renan Favarão , de Souza Gilberto Francisco Martha
Published: September 2021

Maintenance is one of the main stages to deliver business outcomes from physical assets over their life cycles. However, as unexpected events and performance may occur in maintenance management, organizations shall be aware of how to address them as well as other opportunities for improvement. Accordingly, this chapter intends to present an improvement framework for maintenance management. The first two sections provide an introduction to maintenance management improvement and its interface with the ISO 55000 series for asset management and the maintenance management model (MMM). Then, the proposed framework and its activities for improvement in maintenance management are discussed in the third section. The fourth section addresses an overview of the main RCA techniques to support the framework implementation. Finally, a hydroelectric power plant case study is discussed to demonstrate the framework in a real operational context.
Digital Twin-Driven Condition-Based Maintenance
Authors: Crespo del Castillo Adolfo , Macchi Marco , Cattaneo Laura
Published: September 2021

The world is witnessing an all-level digitalization that guides the industry and business to a restructuration in order to adapt to the new requirements of the surrounding environment. That change also concerns the labour of the technical professionals and their formation. As a consequence of this deep consciousness-raising, this chapter will investigate and develop simulation models based on the current digitalization. The aim of this chapter is the exposition of a real case development of “digital twin” models framed as part of the condition-based maintenance paradigm to improve real-time assets operation and maintenance. This model contributes by providing real-time results that could turn into a basis for the industrial management decisions and place them in the Industry 4.0 paradigm environment.
Criticality Analysis Techniques Applied to Optimize Maintenance Management Processes
Authors: Parra Carlos , Tino Giovanny , Parra Jorge A. , Viveros Pablo , Kristjanpoller Fredy A.
Published: September 2021

The techniques of criticality analysis are tools that allow identifying and hierarchy for their importance the assets of an installation on which it is worth directing resources (human, economic, and technological). In other words, the process of criticality analysis helps determine the importance and consequences of potential failure events of production systems within the operational context in which they perform. Taking as reference the maintenance management model (MMM) of the eight phases, this chapter related to techniques of prioritization and criticality is part of Phase 2 of the MMM. In the following chapter, the most important theoretical aspects of equipment hierarchical analysis techniques are explained, based on the qualitative and quantitative risk model (failures frequencies and consequences). Finally, two case studies in the oil refining industry are developed; the first case uses the tool qualitative risk matrix (QRM), and the second case uses the tool risk analytic hierarchy process (RAHP).
Railway Infrastructure Asset Management Modelling
Authors: Andrews John
Published: September 2021

Railway infrastructure comprises a large collection of diverse and complex systems and structures. Many of them are aging assets and require a significant budget to deliver the maintenance to ensure the required safety and service performance standards. With such a large amount of money spent each year to maintain and renew the network assets, small percentage savings can amount to substantial sums of money. There is therefore a huge incentive to better understand the degradation that assets experience and how these can be effectively managed through the implementation of efficient maintenance strategies. Track and bridges are the most expensive assets to keep in the required condition, and this chapter provides a method to analyse their degradation and build Petri net models to predict the future state of the asset, the number of each maintenance activity which are expected to be undertaken, and their costs experienced by following a particular strategy. Utilising these models enables the quality of the asset management decisions made to be improved and optimised.
MRO Spare Parts Management and Inventory Optimization
Authors: Ramezani Saeed , Hoseinzadeh Mohamad Reza
Published: September 2021

In this chapter, considering the importance of spare parts inventory management in the equipment life cycle, the excellence models in spare parts supply chain management are reviewed, and MRO-MMM framework based on the MMM maintenance excellence model will be presented in eight steps. In this comprehensive framework, all necessary actions are considered in terms of maintenance excellence, improvement, and optimization spare parts management. The steps include compiling strategies, spare parts management policies, and related indicators; determining criticality, classification, and spare parts data management; data and procedure preparation for analysis of inventory management; optimization of inventory management system; supplier management; integrity of automation and information system; continuous improvement; and risk based and smarting inventory management. This framework has been used in various industries and proved that the implementation of the MRO-MMM framework will optimize and significantly improve spare parts management.
Effects of Recession on Asset Management Performance in Small Businesses in Spain
Authors: Carnero María Carmen , Cárcel-Carrasco Javier
Published: September 2021

The number of studies that assess the level of maintenance in a country is still very small, despite the contribution of this area to national competitiveness. The literature analyses asset management based on key performance indicators, but not via a multicriteria model. This chapter describes a multicriteria model, constructed by means of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP). The weightings are converted into utility functions, allowing the final utility of an alternative to be calculated via a multi-attribute utility function. Data on the state of asset management in Spain, in 2005 and 2010, are used to produce discrete probability distributions. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation is applied to estimate the uncertainty of a complex function. In this way, the level of excellence of asset management in small businesses in Spain, before and after the recession, could be determined. The results show that the economic crisis experienced in Spain since 2008 has had a negative effect on the level of asset management in most sectors.
The Changing Role of Maintenance in Physical Asset Management
Authors: Maletič Damjan , Pačaiová Hana , Nagyová Anna , Maletič Matjaž
Published: September 2021

Physical asset management (PAM) is an area with a growing role in the asset intensive industry. The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the role of maintenance within PAM. For this purpose, a case study was conducted in a Slovenian organization. The results show that maintenance is recognized as part of PAM activities in the observed paper mill company. Furthermore, the results of the study show that the strongest involvement of maintenance in PAM-related tasks was found in the creation and maintenance of the maintenance management system and the least in the definition of key success factors for the asset system and the design of the asset system. In addition, the case study uncovered two main factors that have the greatest impact on the involvement of maintenance and its activities within PAM, namely leadership and knowledge management. This study is one of the few studies that aims to explore the role of maintenance within PAM, considering all life cycle phases of the asset system.
Experiences of Implementing the “MMM” Model and Its Developed Framework “iREAM3” in Developing Countries
Authors: Ramezani Saeed , Barzegar Ali Akbar , Barzegar Hamid
Published: September 2021

Experience shows that the implementation of the MMM model in developing countries requires the consideration of specific feature of these countries. In this chapter, first, the frameworks and models of maintenance excellence are reviewed. Of course, the purpose of this chapter is not to compare these models. Then, the characteristics of maintenance in developing countries is explained. Then, the “iREAM3 framework” based on the “MMM model” and concepts of asset management in industries and organization of developing countries is presented, which is compatible with the characteristics of these countries and has been implemented, developed, and updated in some organization in these countries. Then, how it covers the ISO 55000 standard clauses is explained. In the following, the method and principles of evaluating the organization and the requirements of preparing a suitable roadmap for excellence are introduced. Finally, the audit results of implementation iREAM3 framework in these countries are presented in some companies, organizations, and industries from different fields.
Genre Differences in Soft Skills Perception and Video Game Usage in the University of Extremadura
Authors: Alloza Castillo Sergio , Escribano Flavio , González López Óscar Rodrigo , Buenadicha Mateos María
Published: September 2021

The preconceived notion concerning negative effects of video games and students' academic performance is a widely known subject. However, some investigations explore the positive impact of video games on academic performance. With a sample of 247 university students, this chapter studies the perception of both gamers and non-gamers about soft skills and their current relevance in academic and professional fields. The possible relationships linking the intensity of the usage of video games, academic performance, and the perception concerning soft skills are investigated. The results expose a generalized positive perception respecting the relation between video games and the development of soft skills, specifically to the video game genre and its relevance and influence on academic performance, as well as gender differences, where women prevail in emotional and social managements, although this influence is not elevated.
Deadline-Constrained Cost-Effective Load-Balanced Improved Genetic Algorithm for Workflow Scheduling
Authors: Bothra Sandeep Kumar , Singhal Sunita , Goyal Hemlata
Published: September 2021

Resource scheduling in a cloud computing environment is noteworthy for scientific workflow execution under a cost-effective deadline constraint. Although various researchers have proposed to resolve this critical issue by applying various meta-heuristic and heuristic approaches, no one is able to meet the strict deadline conditions with load-balanced among machines. This article has proposed an improved genetic algorithm that initializes the population with a greedy strategy. Greedy strategy assigns the task to a virtual machine that is under loaded instead of assigning the tasks randomly to a machine. In general workflow scheduling, task dependency is tested after each crossover and mutation operators of genetic algorithm, but here the authors perform after the mutation operation only which yield better results. The proposed model also considered booting time and performance variation of virtual machines. The authors compared the algorithm with previously developed heuristics and metaheuristics both and found it increases hit rate and load balance. It also reduces execution time and cost.
A Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network for Daily NO2 Concentration Forecasting
Authors: Liu Bingchun , Yu Xiaogang , Wang Qingshan , Zhao Shijie , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2021

NO2 pollution has caused serious impact on people's production and life, and the management task is very difficult. Accurate prediction of NO2 concentration is of great significance for air pollution management. In this paper, a NO2 concentration prediction model based on long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) is constructed with daily NO2 concentration in Beijing as the prediction target and atmospheric pollutants and meteorological factors as the input indicators. Firstly, the parameters and architecture of the model are adjusted to obtain the optimal prediction model. Secondly, three different sets of input indicators are built on the basis of the optimal prediction model to enter the model learning. Finally, the impact of different input indicators on the accuracy of the model is judged. The results show that the LSTM model has high application value in NO2 concentration prediction. The maximum temperature and O3 among the three input indicators improve the prediction accuracy while the NO2 historical low-frequency data reduce the prediction accuracy.
A Novel PageRank-Based Fault Handling Strategy for Workflow Scheduling in Cloud Data Centers
Authors: Xie Fei , Yan Jun , Shen Jun
Published: September 2021

Unexpected faults result in unscheduled cloud outage, which negatively affects the completion of workflow tasks in the cloud. This paper presents a novel PageRank-based fault handling strategy to rescue workflow tasks at the faulty data center. The proposed approach uses a holistic view and considers the task attributes, the timeline scenario, and the overall cloud performance. A priority assignment system is developed based on the modified PageRank algorithm to prioritise workflow tasks. A min-max normalization method is applied to select the target data center and match the timeline at this data center. Additionally, a dynamic PageRank-constrained task scheduling algorithm is proposed to generate the task scheduling solution. The simulation results show that the proposed approach can achieve better fault handling performance, measured by task resilience ratio, workflow resilience ratio, and workflow continuity ratio in both the traditional 3-replica and the image backup cloud environment.
Verification of Composed Web Service Using Synthesized Nondeterministic Turing Model (SNTMM) With Multiple Tapes and Stacks
Authors: Thilagavathi N.  , Lakshmi K.
Published: September 2021

To verify the composed web services, a general view of what traits of a service need to be identified is still lacking. The existing verification model did not address any mechanism for getting alternative services if we failed to reach the desired service and partially concentrated on the reachability problem for a deterministic and non-deterministic system in sequential. This paper proposes a synthesised non-deterministic turing machine model (SNTMM) by combining the multistacked non-deterministic Turing machine (MSNTM) model and multitaped non-deterministic Turing machine (MTNTM) model to verify the composed web services for both deterministic and non-deterministic systems in parallel. The deceased transition and departed service marking algorithm have been proposed to address each participated service's reachability in composing service for all possible input in parallel. This article shows an example to demonstrate the meticulousness of the model. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed model is measured efficiently.
HTAP With Reactive Streaming ETL
Authors: Camilleri Carl , Vella Joseph G. , Nezval Vitezslav
Published: September 2021

In database management systems (DBMSs), query workloads can be classified as online transactional processing (OLTP) or online analytical processing (OLAP). These often run within separate DBMSs. In hybrid transactional and analytical processing (HTAP), both workloads may execute within the same DBMS. This article shows that it is possible to run separate OLTP and OLAP DBMSs, and still support timely business decisions from analytical queries running off fresh transactional data. Several setups to manage OLTP and OLAP workloads are analysed. Then, benchmarks on two industry standard DBMSs empirically show that, under an OLTP workload, a row-store DBMS sustains a 1000 times higher throughput than a columnar DBMS, whilst OLAP queries are more than 4 times faster on a columnar DBMS. Finally, a reactive streaming ETL pipeline is implemented which connects these two DBMSs. Separate benchmarks show that OLTP events can be streamed to an OLAP database within a few seconds.
A Framework for Evaluating Information Transparency in Supply Chains
Authors: Ada Erhan , Sagnak Muhittin , Kazancoglu Yigit , Luthra Sunil , Kumar Anil
Published: September 2021

Private, public, profit, and non-profit organizations, and society as a whole currently face a significant reliable information necessity problem. Especially supply chains need trustworthy information to perform their activities successfully. This study aims to propose a framework and identify how reliability of information can be evaluated and measured through the concept of transparency. In this context, dimensions such as; comprehensiveness, regularity, timeliness, content, scope, and user-friendliness are the pillars of the proposed framework. Selected criteria have been used as inputs to develop the information transparency level. The Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (ANP) is used to obtain weights of these inputs, and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used for the determination of the efficiency ranking for transparency. Results demonstrated that Content, Scope and Comprehensiveness dimensions have 75% impact on the transparency of data. Remaining 25 percent is affected by Timeliness, Regularity and User-friendliness.
Development and Evaluation of a Cognitive Training Application for Children With Learning Difficulties
Authors: Shaban Adel , Chang Victor , Bingham Andrew
Published: September 2021

The studies targeting cognitive training via computerized applications focused on suggesting varied types of Working Memory's (WM) tasks rather than offering those tasks in a user-friendly way or suggesting practical guidelines targeting the end-user. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to adopt the design based-research method (DBR) to design, develop, and evaluate a cognitive training application in the light of a set of proposed guidelines. This developed application is targeting children with LDs at primary schools. The current study focused on end-user testing by evaluating the children's perceived experience during and after engagement in the application. The results showed that most of the children (86.5%) perceived a good experience with the application as well as their verbal and no-verbal WM performance improved significantly after the training period. A set of theoretical and practical implications derived from the study was embedded for future research.
An Overloading State Computation and Load Sharing Mechanism in Fog Computing
Authors: Singh Pushpa , Agrawal Rajeev
Published: September 2021

Fog computing is used to enrich the ability of cloud computing applications. Fog is a kind of buffer area placed between the data processing location and the data storage equipment in the network and plays a significant role in processing the real time data. The lack of resource provisioning approaches and high demand for IoT services make the fog node overloaded. Load balancing is a method to realize efficient resource utilization to avoid bottlenecks, overload, and fog node failure. This study suggests a concept to compute the probabilistic overloading state of a fog node and identification of fog node for load sharing. Each fog node computes Fstate and sends the message at regular intervals to the fog node coordinator (FNC). FNC maintains a fog that is utilized for offloading in case of fog overloading. A comparative study shows that the proposed model avoids an overloading state by the transfer of a certain number of requests to an underloaded fog node before actual overloading occurs. Numerical results validate theoretical investigation and efficiency of the proposed study.
Successes and challenges of speech language therapy service provision in Western Kenya: Three case studies
Authors: Staley Bea , Hickey Ellen , Rochus David , Musasizi Duncan , Gibson Rachael
Published: September 2021

Background: The need for communication-related services in sub-Saharan Africa to support individuals experiencing communication disability is a longstanding and well-documented situation. We posit the inequities highlighted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) make this a relevant time for speech language therapists and the professional bodies that govern us to broadly consider our roles and practices in education, health and disability in local, national and global contexts.Objective: To illustrate what services developed with local knowledge can look like in Kenya in order to promote dialogue around alternative speech language therapy models, particularly in contexts where there are insufficient services, few trained speech language therapists and limited structures to support the emerging profession.Method: This article examines three clinical case studies from Western Kenya, using a conceptual framework for responsive global engagement.Results: Service needs in Western Kenya well exceed a direct one-on-one model of care that is common in the minority world. The service delivery models described here emphasise training, skills sharing and engaging the myriad of communication partners available to individuals with communication disabilities.Conclusion: We offer up these case studies of collaborative practice as contextual realities that may be present in any speech language therapy programming in under-resourced communities. We dispel the idea that success in this work has been linear, progressed on planned time frames or come to fruition with targeted goal attainment. The fact that our relationships have endured in these communities since 2007 is our primary success.
Possible Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Complications and Troponin Elevation in Coronavirus Disease
Authors: Malik Saloni , Naithani Manisha , Mirza Anissa Atif , Darbari Anshuman , Saxena Rahul
Published: September 2021

More than 20 million human beings got infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and suffered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease in the current global pandemic. This disease flow showed a heterogeneous spectrum due to various personalized underlying causes and immunogenetics makeup of an individual. Substantial evidence suggests that the severity of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ failures, and deaths in COVID-19 is attributable to cytokine storm. Thus, in a cytokine storm, the dysregulated immune system is triggered by superantigen of SARS-CoV-2 to release various cytokines with high speed and increased blood circulation concentrations, leading to diverse clinical manifestations of massive multi-organ destruction and death due to exuberant hyperinflammation at a local and systemic level. SARS-CoV-2 can also significantly affect the cardiovascular system of the infected persons through a systemic outburst of the cytokine storm. SARS-CoV-2 infection accompanies many cardiovascular complications that include myocardial infarction, myocarditis, microangiopathy, venous thromboembolism, and a cytokine storm burden resulting in heart failure. This narrative review attempts to gather all recent evidence by Internet-based literature search with relevant keywords related to coronavirus disease with main objective and focus on possible mechanisms of pathophysiology of troponin elevation and cardiovascular complications, with its diagnosis and recent guidelines for its management.
Case study
Authors: Low Adrian , Chan Stella
Published: September 2021

Heart rate variability (HRV) can be used as an objective measure of mental health and workplace stress. Workplace stress is associated with poor performance and organizations desire optimal performance from employees. In this case study, the researcher utilizes a heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) tool to biologically monitor the effectiveness of aromatherapeutic breathing intervention for his client, a manager who works in an educational center in Hong Kong. The researcher presents a review of each of the four sessions he has conducted with his client. Both aromatherapeutic breathing with “earth” (ABwE) and HRVB were used during the sessions, and the client was able to shift her physiology profoundly. Results were promising, and the researcher recommends using ABwE as an important intervention and agent for change for stressful clients.
Strategy for Discharges from the Stress Test Laboratory for Ambulatory Patients with Chest Pain/Dyspnea in COVID-19 Times
Authors: Peteiro Jesus , Bouzas-Mosquera Alberto , Barbeito-Caamaño Cayetana , Vazquez-Rodriguez Jose Manuel
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

To reduce contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, we elaborated a protocol for ambulatory referrals for exercise testing that included discharges from the stress test laboratory (STL).

Methods and Results:

From 403 patients referred for chest pain (68%) or dyspnea (32%), 219 were straight discharged from the STL (54%), without findings of coronary artery disease in 192 (88%), whereas in 120 (29.5%), further visits were recommended. Medical treatment was modified after the tests in 116 patients (29%).

Conclusions:

A strategy consisting of discharge from the STL for patients with negative/spurious stress test results, making therapeutic recommendations, seems feasible, effective, and overall opportune in the current situation.
Genetics of Male Infertility – Present and Future
Authors: Sudhakar Digumarthi V.S. , Shah Rupin , Gajbhiye Rahul K.
Published: September 2021

Infertility affects 8%–12% of couples worldwide with a male factor contributing to nearly 50% of couples either as a primary or contributing cause. Several genetic factors that include single-gene and multiple-gene defects associated with male infertility were reported in the past two decades. However, the etiology remains ambiguous in a majority of infertile men (~40%). The objective of this narrative review is to provide an update on the genetic factors associated with idiopathic male infertility and male reproductive system abnormalities identified in the last two decades. We performed a thorough literature search in online databases from January 2000 to July 2021. We observed a total of 13 genes associated with nonobstructive azoospermia due to maturation/meiotic arrest. Several studies that reported novel genes associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella are also discussed in this review. ADGRG2, PANK2, SCNN1B, and CA12 genes are observed in non-CFTR-related vas aplasia. The genomic analysis should be quickly implemented in clinical practice as the detection of gene abnormalities in different male infertility phenotypes will facilitate genetic counseling.
Evaluation of Role of Transabdominal and Transvaginal Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Female Genital Tuberculosis
Authors: Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Khurana Ashok , Hari Smriti , Singh Urvashi , RituYadav  , Dharmendra Sona
Published: September 2021

Background:

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is a common problem in developing countries causing significant morbidity, especially infertility. Radiological imaging, especially ultrasound, can help in diagnosis of FGTB with tubo-ovarian masses.

Aims:

The present study was performed to evaluate the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of FGTB and to see various findings of FGTB on ultrasound.

Study Setting and Design:

It was a prospective cross-sectional study over 4-year period between August 2015 and August 2019 in a tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods:

One hundred and seventy-five patients of infertility diagnosed to have FGTB on composite reference standard (CRS) of positive acid-fast bacilli on microscopy or culture of endometrial biopsy, positive polymerase chain reaction, positive GeneXpert, epithelioid granuloma on histology of endometrial biopsy, or definite or probable finding of FGTB on laparoscopy were subjected to transvaginal ultrasound by an experienced sonographer for various findings of FGTB.

Statistical Analysis:

Data analysis was carried out using STATA software 12.0. Comparison of categorical values was tested using Chi-square Fisher's exact test, with P < 0.05 being taken as significant.

Results:

Mean age, body mass index, parity, and duration of infertility were 28.9 years, 22.9 kg/m2, 0.26, and 6.06 years, respectively. Menstrual dysfunction was common (44%). Diagnosis of FGTB was made by CRS. Ultrasound was normal in 112 (64%) cases and was abnormal in 63 (36%) cases. Various ultrasound findings were ovarian cyst (23.42%), tubo-ovarian masses (15.42%), unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx (13.71%), pyosalpinx (0.57%), adhesion (1.14%), adnexal fixity (6.28%), thin endometrium (24.57%), endometrial fluid (12.57%), endometrial calcification (1.7%), endometrial synechiae (4.57%), cornual synechiae (2.28%), impaired endometrial vascularity (21.71%), ascites (6.85%), and peritoneal or omental thickening (1.75%).

Conclusion:

Carefully performed ultrasound is a useful modality in diagnosis of FGTB, especially in adnexal masses.
Evaluating the Contribution of Oocyte, Sperm, and Uterus in Determining the Outcome of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection – A Retrospective Observational Comparative Study on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection using Own Oocytes and Donor Oocytes
Authors: Shanthi Deepeka Thangamani , Gopinath Parasuram , Kumar Karthika D. , Iyer Ramesh Parameswara , Kesavaramanujam Revathi , Karunakaran Gopinathan Kannoly
Published: September 2021

Context:

Several studies have assessed the contribution of oocyte, sperm, and endometrium on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) separately. This study assesses the relative contribution of oocyte, sperm, and uterus in achieving clinical pregnancy (CP) through ICSI by comparing own and third-party ICSI cycles.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the strength of contribution of oocyte, sperm, and uterus in achieving CP through ICSI.

Settings and Design:

This retrospective observational study of ICSI cycles for 20 months including 1000 embryo transfers (ETs).

Methodology:

Subjects were divided into two groups, Group 1 – ICSI with own oocytes (550 ETs) and Group 2 – ICSI with donor oocytes (450 ETs). Both the groups had 3 subgroups – a (husband sperm, transferred to self), b (donor sperm, transferred to self), c (husband sperm, transferred to a gestational surrogate). CP rate (CPR) as a major outcome was studied in the groups and subgroups.

Statistical Analysis:

CPR was compared between various subgroups using Z-test and Chi-square of significance of difference between proportions. A P < 0.05 was taken as the level of statistical significance.

Results:

CPR in subgroup 1a < 35 years, 1a ≥35 years, and 2a was 42.98%, 26.21%, and 40.92%, respectively (P = 0.001). CPR was compared between 2a and 2c (40.92%, 56.5%, P = 0.044) and between 2a and 2b (40.92%, 42.11%, P = 0.866). Implantation rate was highest in Group 2c (34.88%) compared to other subgroups.

Conclusion:

The higher CPR in women <35 years undergoing ICSI with own oocytes than older women and a comparable CPR as that of recipients of donor oocytes suggests that age thereby oocyte quality is the strongest determining factor in achieving clinical pregnancy. Among oocyte recipients, higher CPR in surrogate uterus than patient uterus suggests that uterus/endometrium plays a considerable role, and comparable CPR between ICSI using husband sperm and donor sperm indicates that sperm quality might not play a major role in achieving CP.
Association of Semen Bacteriological Profile with Infertility
Authors: Karthikeyan Madhuvanti , N.S. Kubera , Singh Rakesh
Published: September 2021

Context:

Infections are an important cause of male infertility. The specific effects of infections on various semen parameters remain unexplored, especially within the Indian subcontinent.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to determine the bacteriologic profile of semen, and its effect on semen parameters, with particular emphasis given to Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis tested by semen polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Study Setting and Design:

The research was a cross-sectionl analaytical study conducted in a tertiary care center in South India from March 2018 to November 2019, on 48 male partners of couples presenting with infertility.

Methodology:

After obtaining informed consent from the study participants, semen collection was done. The sample was subjected to standard semen analysis according to the WHO 2010 Manual, followed by bacteriological testing using routine culture methods. In addition, real-time PCR was done to test for U. urealyticum and M. hominis.

Statistical Analysis:

Demographic data, semen analysis parameters, bacteriological culture findings, and real-time PCR results were compared and analyzed using the software IBM® SPSS 19.0.

Results:

A significant difference in viscosity of semen, which was higher in the samples that were positive for real-time PCR of M. hominis, was found. Other than this, no other parameter had a statistically significant difference between culture or real-time PCR positive samples and negative samples.

Conclusion:

Our study, though limited by a small sample size, highlights the role played by seminal infections in the context of male infertility. Larger scale prospective studies in this area would be invaluable in deciding the management plans of male factor infertility.
An Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithm for Predicting Pregnancy Success Using Static Images Captured by Optical Light Microscopy during Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
Authors: Geller Jared , Collazo Ineabelle , Pai Raghav , Hendon Nicholas , Lokeshwar Soum D. , Arora Himanshu , Molina Manuel , Ramasamy Ranjith
Published: September 2021

Context (Background):

Analysis of embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves manual grading of human embryos through light microscopy. Recent research shows that artificial intelligence techniques applied to time lapse embryo images can successfully ascertain embryo quality. However, laboratories often capture static images and cannot apply this research in a real-world setting. Further, current models do not predict the outcome of pregnancy.

Aims:

To create and assess a convolutional neural network to predict embryo quality using static images from a limited dataset. We considered two classification problems: predicting whether an embryo will lead to a pregnancy or not and predicting the outcome of that pregnancy.

Settings and Design:

We utilized transfer learning techniques using a pretrained Inception V1 network. All models were built using the Tensorflow software package.

Methods:

We utilized a total of 361 randomly sampled static images collected from four South Florida IVF clinics. Data were collected between 2016 and 2019.

Statistical Analysis Used:

We utilized deep-learning techniques, including data augmentation to reduce model variance and transfer learning to bolster our limited dataset. We used a standard train/validation/ test dataset split to avoid model overfitting.

Results:

Our algorithm achieved 0.657 area under the curve for predicting pregnancy versus nonpregnancy. However, our model was unable to meaningfully predict whether a pregnancy led a to live birth.

Conclusions:

Despite the limited dataset that achieved somewhat of a lower accuracy than conventional embryo selection, this is the first study that has successfully made IVF predictions from static images alone. Future availability of more data may allow for prospective validation and further generalisability of results.
$p$-Артонная модель параболических модулярных форм
Authors: Dutta Parikshit , Ghoshal Debashis
Published: September 2021

Предлагается сопоставить модулярной форме (бесконечный) набор комплекснозначных функций на множестве $p$-адических чисел $\mathbb{Q}_p$, по одной функции для каждого простого $p$. Проведен подробный анализ этого соответствия и вытекающие из него свойства преобразования Меллина и $L$-функции, ассоциированной с модулярной формой. Далее обсуждается произведение $L$-функций Дирихле и их преобразований Меллина, которые являются произведениями $\vartheta$-рядов. Последние загадочным образом оказываются похожими на неголоморфные формы Мааса с нулевым весом, что подсказывают их коэффициенты Фурье.
Матричное расширение многомерных бездисперсионных интегрируемых иерархий
Authors: Bogdanov Leonid Vitalevich
Published: September 2021

Последовательно развивается недавно предложенная схема матричного расширения бездисперсионных интегрируемых систем для общего случая многомерных иерархий, в основном для размерности $d\geqslant 4$. Представлены расширенные пары Лакса, уравнения Лакса-Сато, матричные уравнения на фоне векторных полей и схема одевания. Обсуждаются построение решений, редукции и связи с геометрией. Отдельно рассмотрен случай абелева расширения, для которого уравнения Римана-Гильберта схемы одевания решаются явно и дают аналог формулы Пенроуза в искривленном пространстве.
Translanguaging: A tool to decolonise students’ experiences of learning to write for academic purposes in the South African university context
Authors: Ngcobo Sandiso , Bryant Katie , Ndebele Hloniphani
Published: September 2021

University students can experience many challenges writing for academic purposes as they move from secondary to post-secondary  studies. Both first and additional language users of English experience these challenges, resulting in universities across the globe  instituting different modalities to help ease students’ transitions. In South African universities, despite English being the medium of instruction, most students are additional language speakers of English. This article discusses findings from a 2019 study that investigated three questions: 1) Do firstyear, additional language users of English choose to engage in translanguaging when presented with such an opportunity in their university courses? 2) If they choose to use this tool, how do they employ the genre conventions and discourse  markers of the traditional academic essay? 3) What are their reactions to being presented with the opportunity to use translanguaging in their academic studies? The findings illustrate that approximately half of the study’s participants chose to employ translanguaging in their responses and were able to successfully use the genre conventions and discourse makers of the academic essay.
DYNAMICS OF EXPORTS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND GROWTH IN GCC: VARS AND CAUSALITY TESTING
Authors: Mohamed Sufian Eltayeb
Published: September 2021

The paper is concerned with analyzing the dynamic effects of exports and infrastructure on GCC economic growth. Panel cointegration methodology is used to test for the existence of a long relationship between the variable. Two tests, Kao (1999) and Johansen cointegration tests are applied to check for cointegration. The results of the two tests reveal that there exists a long run co-integrating relationship between export and infrastructure proxies and economic growth in GCC countries. Additionally, fully modified least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) were used to test the magnitude of the long relationship among variables. The results show that export and infrastructure variables are positive and have significant impact on the long run growth of the GCC economy. Further, fixed –effects method is selected as random effect model is rejected based on Hausman test result. The results of fixed effect show that export and infrastructure variables ate positive and statistically significant. With regard to policy, variable mixed results were obtained. As a policy recommendation the study, suggest that proper absorptive capacity such as deep financial institution, good infrastructure quality and supplementing public expenditures should be met in order to maximize the benefits of exports.

JEL: C33; O11; F10; O19; O47

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THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ETHNIC MINORITIES – THE CASE OF LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Šestanović Aljoša , Qureshi Fayyaz Hussain , Khawaja Sarwar
Published: September 2021

This paper aims to analyse the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ethnic minorities. The focus is on ethnic minorities in London, particularly before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. We investigated the discriminatory practices towards ethnic minorities in the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. These are primarily related to the labour market and the sectors and occupations most affected by the pandemic. We used Government data on the UK's different ethnic groups and the London Datastore, an open data-sharing portal. We also reviewed the empirical literature in economics on discrimination in the labour market before and during the pandemic. The adverse effects of the pandemic have been much more severe in economic downturns than during more stable economic times. We found that, before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been persistent differences in particular economic aspects between ethnic minorities and white men and women. Over the past decade, ethnic minorities in the UK have made progress in the median pay gap, employment gap and unemployment rates. However, ethnic minorities in London have faced more challenges than those in other parts of the UK. In addition, during the Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment rates were much higher for ethnic minorities than they were for whites.

JEL: H12; H50; H83; I10

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CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR ADOPTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA
Authors: Too Charles , Bomett Emily , Kiprop Catherine
Published: September 2021

Cloud computing technology is a distributed computing approach whereby users access shared resources under various service models through the internet. It allows individual access to information technology resources through the internet upon demand. Cloud computing is an essentially growing terminology in the IT world and has become increasingly present in the life of institutions of higher learning. Institutions of higher learning consider cloud computing and construction of digital content platforms as a way of enhancing resource utilization and improvement of service delivery. The sudden and frenzied rush for cloud computing by universities has been aggravated by exponential growth in data traffic and the need for innovative learning such as e-learning and virtual classrooms amid COVID 19 pandemic (Kenya Education Network-KENET, 2021). Perhaps it is from that realization and the need to adhere to COVID 19 protocols that most public universities in Kenya have adopted cloud computing. In this study, we sought to find out the critical success factors for adoption of cloud computing in public universities in Kenya. The study set out three (3) objectives and consequently three (3) null hypotheses to guide it. Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Similarly, International Business Machines-IBM (2011) model for cloud adoption offered theoretical guidance. At a confidence interval of 95%, an online sample size calculator was used to arrive at three hundred and sixty two (362) respondents out of six thousand two hundred (6200) target population. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique and an online list randomizer were used to select respondents in the selected universities to participate in the study. Multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses in this study based on empirical data obtained by a survey questionnaire of thirty nine (39) questions from the two (2) public universities. Multiple regression results showed significant positive effect of Management Support (β=.257), Technical Support (β=.353), and User Preparedness (β=.475) on adoption of cloud computing at p<.05. Regression results gave a coefficient of determination R2=.908 which means 90.8% of the variation in adoption of cloud computing can be explained by Management Support, Technical Support, and User Preparedness combined. Based on the coefficient of determination (R2), the three null hypotheses (H01, H02, & H03) were rejected at p<0.05. Regression analysis showed that Management Support, Technical Support and User Preparedness are critical success factors in cloud adoption in public universities in Kenya. This study provides new and relevant insights to literature on cloud adoption in higher education service in Kenya.

 

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PROLOTHERAPY COMBINED WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY IN A RECREATIONALLY ACTIVE MIDDLE-AGED MAN WITH CHONDROMALACIA PATELLA
Authors: Bowne Kristin , Prall Joshua , Ross Michael
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of physical therapy combined with prolotherapy in a recreationally active, middle-aged man with knee pain and chondromalacia patella. The patient was a 50 year-old male triathlete presenting with a chief complaint of persistent left knee stiffness and anterolateral knee pain. The patient’s symptoms began insidiously 9 months prior after an increase in his triathlon training activities. His knee pain progressed to the point that he could not perform any weight bearing exercise without significant discomfort. Previous treatments included management by a physical therapist, as well as corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections. Although these previous treatments provided minimal benefit, the patient sought further management by another physical therapist. Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed moderate to severe chondromalacia at the lateral patellar facet. In addition to management by a physical therapist, the patient received a series of three prolotherapy injections to the knee. Physical therapy management consisted of manual therapy for the lower quarter, targeted therapeutic exercise to address strength deficits of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, and a gradual return to weight bearing exercise and functional activity. At 4 months following the physical therapy and prolotherapy injections, the patient reported no pain during daily activities. Additionally, he had returned to swimming, cycling, unlimited walking and hiking on various surfaces, and agility drills. In patients with knee pain and chondromalacia patella, especially those who have not responded to prior interventions, physical therapy combined with prolotherapy may serve as a treatment option.

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ECOFEMINIST DISCOURSE AND ECO ART
Authors: Tekin Nezaket
Published: September 2021

This article focuses on the concepts of woman-nature-art, 18.-19. Century has progressed through a structure that extends from women nature artists to today's eco art. First of all, female protagonists in the stories of the writer Andrea Barrett and their historical counterparts, such as Elizabeth Blackwell, were included. Examples of the works of female artists who criticized the male predominance in the art environment of the 1970s were examined. At the same time, it was mentioned that awareness of the environment increased in the 1970s with the influence of scientists, activists and artists. The concept of Ecofeminism, which was first used by Françoise d'Eaubonne in 1974, was defined, and the women and ecology connections of writers such as Vandana Shiva were mentioned. In the last two sections, the works of the women artists selected were examined with the descriptive method. Agnes Varda is discussed in her wheat field project, which she cultivates in the commercial center of New York, as she is the first artist to engage in agriculture as an artistic act and production. Katie Holten has made boulevard trees visible using photographs, drawings, maps, interviews and software. Finally, there is Neri Oxman, who uses nature itself as a design in her projects, which she calls "Material Ecology" combines science, engineering, art and design.

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THE ETHNOSEMANTICS OF SORCERY IN HOUSE MADE OF DAWN
Authors: Bartelt Guillermo
Published: September 2021

Early to mid-twentieth-century ethnographies are consulted for the stylolinguistic interpretation of the ethnosemantics of sorcery in the native world of House Made of Dawn. Utilizing the resources of linguistic anthropology with a focus on ethnoscience, a portion of the cognitive system which reveals possible strategies for the identification of practitioners of witchcraft has been reconstructed.

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