Mucosal Immunity and Novel Prophylactic Strategy to Combat COVID-19 | Chapter 1 | Disease and Health Research: New Insights Vol. 9

 

The study aims to explore the role of mucosal immunity in combating COVID-19 with the objective of developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as an expeditiously growing pandemic, in the human population caused by the highly transmissible RNA virus severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In clinical settings, SARS-CoV-2 infection can be elucidated on the basis of amplification of viral RNA from nasopharyngeal swab samples, and saliva tests (less invasive in nature), but sometimes faeces tests show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA even prior to symptoms appear and also long after a patient has tested negative from a conventional swab. The interplay of SARS-CoV-2 infection predominantly occurs at the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and transmembrane protease serine-type 2 positive (ACE2 + TMPRSS2+) epithelial cells of the mucosal surfaces like nasal, oral mucosae, and/or the conjunctival surface of the eye where it interacts with the immune system. The largest integrant of the entire immune system is the mucosal immune system which is augmented to provide a defence mechanism against various environmental pathogens at the mucosae. The primary host response towards the pathogen starts from an immune microenvironment of nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The presence of exhausted lymphocytes, lymphopenia, pneumonia, and cytokine storm is the hallmark of COVID-19. The multifaceted nature of co-morbidity factors like obesity and type 2 diabetes and their effects on immunity can alter the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Adipose tissue is a crucial endocrine organ that secretes a plethora of factors like adipokines, cytokines, and chemokines that have a profound impact on metabolism and augment the expression of mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokines, like tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and the interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-23. Mucosal immunization could be a superior approach to activate mucosal and systemic immune responses against pathogenic invasion at mucosal surface entry ports. Mucosal vaccines are also able to generate strong systemic humoral immunity—required to neutralize any virus particle that dodges the primary immune response. In the case of various vaccines, the weakening of vaccine-induced immunity is associated with breakthrough infections. On the other hand, several lines of evidence suggest that mucosal immunization via natural infection or vaccination induces a more robust immune response in respiratory mucosa, which is the prime target of SARS-CoV-2 infection. To develop an efficient vaccine against mucosal pathogens, contemplation of the design of the delivery route, immunomodulatory features, and adjuvants are very important. In this article,  evidence was provided to understand the significant role of mucosal immunity, along with secretory and circulating immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in generating a novel mucosal vaccine against COVID-19. Moreover, along with mucosal vaccines, a look must be given to combination treatment strategies with plant bioactive molecules. Glycan-binding lectins against viral proteins for targeted activation of the mucosal immune response are one such example. These may play a promising role in halting this emerging virus. In this review, the different aspect of mucosal immunization and their probable prospect against the COVID-19 pandemic have been summarized. Further study on the formulation of nasal spray or inhaler with such plant bioactive molecules or engineered antibodies will be a potent therapeutic and prophylactic strategy in the prevention of a larger array of SARS-CoV2 with reduced side effects.

 

Author (s) Details

Dr. Swapan K. Chatterjee
Molecular Pharma Pvt. Ltd., 102A Windsor Palace, 6A, Iron Side Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India.
 
Dr. Snigdha Saha
Molecular Pharma Pvt. Ltd., 102A Windsor Palace, 6A, Iron Side Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India.
 
 
Maria Nilda M. Munoz
Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao City & De La Salle University, Manila 0900, Philippines.

 

Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/dhrni/v9/2196

Oncogenic Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor (IGF-1R) As a Promising Targeted-molecule for HCC Therapy | Chapter 1 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) or P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in tissues and sera of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, further analyze IGF-1R on effects of biological behaviors of HepG2 cells and synergistic role with anti-cancer drugs on reversal MDR of HCC. In HCC, there was an overexpression of the IGF-1R. The connection between IGF-1R activation and the advancement of HCC is still unknown, though. In this work, we looked into how the biological characteristics of HCC cells were affected by IGF-1R editing. The expressions of IGF-1R and P-gp in HCC and their distal non-cancerous tissues (Non-Ca) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. IGF-1R was edited with CRISPR/Cas9 system, screened specific sgRNAs, and then transfected into HepG2 cells. CCK-8 and scratch wound test detected cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and transwell assays, respectively. Alterations of IGF-1R and P-gp were confirmed by Western blotting. Alterations of anti-cancer drug IC50 values were analyzed at the cell level. The incidences of IGF-1R (93.6%) or P-gp (88.2%) were significantly higher (P<0.001) in the HCC group than those (36.6% in IGF-1R or 26.9% in P-gp) in the Non-Ca group. There was a positive correlation between high IGF-1R and P-gp expression, and they were associated with HBV infection and vascular invasion of HCC. Abnormal levels of serum IGF-1R and P-gp were confirmed and associated with HCC progression. Biological feature alterations of HCC cells transfected with specific sgRNA showed IGF-1R expression down-regulation, cell proliferation inhibition, cell invasion or migration potential decreasing, and enhancing susceptibility of HepG2 cells to anti-cancer drugs. In this study, the specific sgRNA plus anti-tumor drugs had higher inhibitory effects on HCC cells, and the drug IC50 values were significantly decreased with inhibiting cell proliferation of HCC in the sgRNA group, indicating that HCC cells transfected with sgRNA could be more sensitive to anti-cancer drugs via inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. These data indicated that the edited oncogenic IGF-1R was useful to inhibit biological behaviors of HCC cells and IGF-1R should be a promising targeted-molecule for HCC therapy.

 

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Min Yao
Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.

 

Wenli Sai
Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.

 

Chunxiu Sha
Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.

 

Min Xu
Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.

 

Rongfei Fang
Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.

 

Li Wang
Research Center for Intelligent Information Technology, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.

 

Qun Xie
Department of Infectious Diseases, Haian People’s Hospital, Haian 226600, Jiangsu, China.

 

Dengfu Yao
Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/11781F

Investigating the Factors Affecting Internet Sex Addiction | Chapter 8 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

Today, with the advancement of technology and the use of the internet on smartphones, private interactions of individuals with strangers in the virtual space take a harmful form regardless of location. Problematic use of the Internet is now a concerning area across the globe, referring to excessive engagement in online activities known to be associated with marked functional impairment. A significant portion of people's communications takes place on social networks and through cyber facilities. The debate on human dependence on technology and cyber facilities has reached a point where the use of these facilities has become an inseparable part of many people's lives, work, and relationships. The increasing use of cyber facilities and individuals' membership in online social networks and chat rooms, alongside easy access to relationships with strangers, sometimes leads to the emergence of cybersex relationships and conversations aimed at satisfying instinctual and sexual desires. In this chapter, after defining internet sex addiction, sexual identity, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), the relationship between internet sex addiction and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in men is examined. The impact of these items on each other and diagnostic and treatment methods are explained. The present research is correlation-relation research in which inferential statistics were used. Sexual Addiction Screening-Test-Revised (SAST-R) was used as a research tool in which 45 yes or no questions were included. The test has a main part and two subscale groups. The results of this research show that the body dysmorphic disorder variable has a correlation of 66.6%, and 44.3% predicts the level of internet sex addiction. Finally, it is concluded that there is an indirect and significant correlation between Internet sex addiction and body image.

 

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

 

Mehrnaz Sheibani-Noqabi (Clinical Psychologist, Hypnotherapist and Researcher)
Mehrabani Counseling Center, Mashhad, Iran.

 

Mohamad Tolooe Arjomand (Doctor of Medicine, Clinical Psychologist, Hypnotherapist and Researcher
Mehrabani Counseling Center, Mashhad, Iran.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/9098A

Platform to Help Motor/Social Disabilities, which connects Prescribers/Suppliers/ Patients and Sells Assistance Products | Chapter 4 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

Aim: The research work tried to present a solution to help people with motor/social disabilities integrate into society and the world of work, promoting ease of communication between all those involved.

Background: The article introduces a digital prototype designed to offer a “Diagnostic Page” that connects patients with different prescribers and suppliers of assistive products that lessen their challenges. This prototype is presented from the perspectives of social inclusion and labor inclusion. Additionally, it offers a “Patient Card Page” with all the financing information for the individual items and all the paperwork that will probably be required for all parties to complete the business operations. It also aims to provide a digital medium to grow a community in this niche market. In the action research methodology approach, the prototype was taken to funding competitions and conferences, where interviews and surveys were carried out, and a number of suggestions were collected on the type of platform to consider in order to respond to the concerns and needs of end users, such as patients, prescribers, suppliers and associations.

Methods: The digital platform where the system is hosted uses algorithms that, on the diagnostic page, consider keywords used by patients and return a series of prescribers and suppliers of support products, in which the corresponding percentage of attenuation is taken into account and the best solution found to overcome the level of difficulty presented by the respective patients is delivered.

Results and Conclusions: With the help of this platform, it is hoped that individuals with motor/social difficulties will be able to quickly receive their diagnosis thanks to the algorithm in place, and they will also be given access to a range of suppliers, prescribers, and support products that are best suited to their needs, along with all the details or requirements needed to buy or finance them. However, as independent contractors who are a part of a community, prescribers, suppliers, and associations have access to an online platform where they can provide their advice, goods, and other forms of support.  In the future, it is intended to build, develop, test, and implement the system in the daily lives of the participants. At the moment, the prototype has not received any financial support, and for this, it is necessary to obtain funding from an experienced entity, which makes its concretization possible as well as guaranteeing the protection of copyright.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Beatriz Ferreira
IADE-Faculty of Design, Technology and Communication of the European University, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

 

Maria Carolina
IADE-Faculty of Design, Technology and Communication of the European University, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/67

Evaluating the Misdiagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Hong Kong's Outpatient Healthcare Sector | Chapter 2 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 Background and Objective: Timely and accurate diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the successful management of diseases. However, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis continue to be significant concerns, resulting in adverse effects on patient treatment outcomes. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases globally, with over one million new cases acquired daily. The presence of misdiagnosis in STD cases cannot be ignored. The objective of the present study is to determine the rate of misdiagnosis of STDs and investigate the underlying factors contributing to this issue.

Methods: Specimens for STD diagnosis were collected from multiple clinics and hospitals between June 1, 2021, and October 20, 2021. The DNA extraction process utilized a magnetic bead-based method, followed by testing the extracted DNA using the DiagCor GenoFlowTM STD Array Test Kit to identify targeted pathogens.

Results: During the specified time, a total of 1459 specimens were collected and included in the study. Among these, 643 specimens tested positive for at least one targeted STD pathogen. Out of the positive cases, 494 were aligned with the tests ordered by physicians, while the remaining 149 positive cases had at least one pathogen detected that was not requested to be tested, leading to misdiagnosis. The overall misdiagnosis rate was determined to be 23.2% (149 out of 643), with a higher frequency of misdiagnosis observed in tests ordered for the detection of one to three pathogens. It is worth noting that Ureaplasma urealyticum and/or Ureaplasma parvum (UU/UP) were the most detected pathogens in this study.

Conclusion: The study's findings emphasize that incorrect test selection by physicians is a major contributor to misdiagnosis in outpatient settings for STD cases. To mitigate diagnostic errors in STD diagnosis, it is crucial for physicians to meticulously choose and request tests that enable the detection of multiple pathogens. Co-infections involving multiple pathogens are commonly encountered among STD patients. Optimal test selection not only benefits individual patients but also has wider implications for public health.

Expanding upon these findings, this chapter delves into the challenges associated with STD misdiagnosis, explores the potential consequences for patients and public health, and provides strategies and recommendations for improving diagnostic accuracy in outpatient settings. The discussion emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing approaches that encompass multiple pathogens to address the complexity of STD infections effectively. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the significance of clinician education and awareness regarding appropriate test selection, emphasizing the need for ongoing professional development and updated guidelines in the field of STD diagnosis. By addressing these issues, we can enhance diagnostic practices, reduce misdiagnosis rates, and ultimately improve patient care and public health outcomes in the context of sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Dr. Andes Lau
Clinical Laboratory Service Unit, Pangenia Life Sciences Ltd., Hong Kong, China.

 

Dr. Tyler Leung
DiagCor Life Science Ltd., Hong Kong SAR, China.

 

Dr. David W. Y. Ho
Clinical Laboratory Service Unit, Pangenia Life Sciences Ltd., Hong Kong, China.

 

Please see the link here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/12219F

Multidetector Computed Tomography Evaluation of Congenital Coronary Artery Variants: A Pictorial Essay Chapter 7 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to review the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography appearance of congenital coronary artery variants [CCAV]. Catheter angiography cannot detect ectopic openings of coronary arteries since it is only a two-dimensional study. Often, a diagnosis of an anomaly is made on MDCT coronary angiography, when catheter angiography fails to show the normal anatomy.

Although CCAVs are relatively uncommon, familiarity with atypical anatomy and their clinical presentation may facilitate appropriate diagnosis and management. Axial sections, multiplanar reconstructions, virtual angioscopy, and 3D volume-rendered images should aid in the detection and improve the interpretation of such anomalies, which can be of immense help to the clinician planning interventional procedures, like stenting, ablation procedures, balloon dilatation, or graft surgery particularly when there are secondary changes of atherosclerosis, calcification, plaque formation and stenosis.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Krishna Kumar M.
Department of Radio-diagnosis, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy-621105, India.

 

Prof. DR. Senthilnathan V., MD., RD.,
Department of Radio-diagnosis, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy-621105, India.

 

Dr. Dharan Venkatesh K.A., MD.,RD.,
Department of Radio-diagnosis, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy-621105, India.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/8370E

Optimizing Cancer Treatment: The Synergy of Multimodal Oncology | Chapter 5 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

This chapter is an attempt to offer some perspective on how to apply these disparate methodologies so that they may be more effectively integrated, resulting in consistently better clinical responses. The term “integrative oncology” can mean particular things to different audiences. For the purposes of this chapter, it is intended to mean the simultaneous use of multiple anti-cancer strategies that can have a synergistic effect against the tumor, its microenvironment, and its propensity to metastasize. Thereby, having a maximum impact against the cancer with a minimum of side effects for the patient to endure. This chapter provides a quick overview of the five most common evidence-based systematic techniques now in use, as shown in the sources. Although the efficiency of each of these strategies varies, in my experience, when they are combined therapeutically, the results are exponentially better, changing the focus from progression-free survival to the prospect of improved overall survival and long-lasting remission.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Jesse A. Stoff
Integrative Medicine of New York, 520 Franklin Ave Suite 230 Garden City, NY-11530, USA.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/3803G

Importance of Air Filtration System Replacement to Improve the Embryo Quality in Assisted Reproduction Laboratory | Chapter 3 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

Infertility is a common disease, which drives several couples to seek treatment with assisted reproduction techniques. In vitro fertilization plays a significant role in combatting infertility. However, many factors contribute to the efficiency of assisted reproductive techniques, such as the laboratory environment and air quality. Poor air quality in the IVF laboratory is a known risk factor in the culture of gametes and human embryos. Improving infrastructural conditions of the in vitro fertilization laboratory, such as the air quality, has profound positive effects on embryo culture. Poor environmental conditions reduce the rate of embryo formation and, therefore, of pregnancy. This review article presents important publications regarding the impact of air quality in human reproduction laboratories on embryo quality, pregnancy success, and live births. The studies demonstrate that replacing the air filtration system improves significantly the environmental air quality, and, consequently, improves laboratory parameters, such as the fertilization rate, the number of blastocysts, the embryo implantation rate, and the number of live births. On the other hand, improving air quality decreases the number of abortions. Therefore, environmental parameters that improve embryo quality and increase healthy childbirth rates must be the main targets for assisted reproduction laboratory quality control. More controlled studies on air quality should be performed with the aim of investigating how particulate filtration interferes with IVF results and provides an effective balance of costs and benefits of replacing the air filtration system in the context of human-assisted reproduction.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Karine Queiroz Poletto
Faculty of Medicine, Centro Universitário UNIRG, Gurupi, TO, Brazil.

 

Yanna Andressa Ramos de Lima
Center for Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

 

Mário Silva Approbato
Center for Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/3789G

A Brief Review on the Type of Donors, Methods and Complications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Children with Thalassemia Major | Chapter 6 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 9

 

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative treatment modality for children with transfusion-dependent Thalassemia. A transplant has been explored extensively in the last 30 years and presently more than 4000 allogeneic transplants have been performed worldwide. This review provides brief information on Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Transfusion-dependent thalassemia with the objective of providing outcome predictions based on modern transplant technologies and some of the known post-transplant complications.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Dr. Shweta Pathak (Associate Professor)
Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bosh Medical College, Jabalpur (MP), India.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/8433E

A Comprehensive Review on the Role of Promoting Elderly Care Sustainability by Smart Village—Facilities Integration through Construction of a Public Service Field with Introduction of Fall Posture Monitoring | Chapter 8 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

In recent years, rural communities in China have been actively exploring a novel approach to elderly care that integrates treatment with health preservation. For instance, in 2018, the number of licensed physicians and registered nurses per 1000 people in rural areas was significantly lower than in urban areas, indicating a shortage of medical professionals. This study aims to contribute to the sustainable development of rural elderly care by introducing smart technology, specifically fall posture monitoring, into public services and facilities within rural communities. There are two main types of intelligent technologies used for monitoring the health of elderly individuals in their living environments: vision-based human activity recognition (HAR) and sensor-based HAR. Additionally, the focus of this study is on addressing a critical issue in elderly medical care: the timely feedback and treatment of falls. To begin, we conducted a comprehensive review of the current status and challenges associated with the application of fall posture monitoring technology. Additionally, we examined the environmental factors that contribute to the risk of falls in public spaces for the elderly. These assessments serve as the technical and environmental foundation for developing the proposed service framework. Our research was conducted from two primary perspectives: the supply of service resources that combine treatment with health preservation and the identification of risk factors associated with outdoor public spaces in the community where falls are likely to occur. Data for this study were collected through behavior mapping and field interviews. In conclusion, we presented a constructive logic for the development of a public service field that effectively combines treatment with health preservation. This logic encompasses the integration of technology applications, resource coordination, and improvements to the physical environment. The findings from this study provide a scientific basis for the construction of public service fields in “smart villages” and serve as practical references for similar villages striving to adopt this innovative model. This approach has the potential to improve the quality of care for elderly individuals in rural communities and promote the integration of medical treatment and care. By leveraging the insights gained from this research, it is expected that rural communities would be better equipped to address the challenges of elderly care and facilitate the widespread adoption of this integrated care model.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Jingting Meng
Department of Environmental Design, College of Art and Communication, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.

 

Ling Yang
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China and Center of Urban and Rural Development, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.

Hao Lei
School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Haidian, Beijing 100084, China.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/8539E

Behavior of Framed Masonry and Lightweight Concrete Walls under Lateral Cyclic Loads Analysis by Numerical Models | Chapter 6 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 Infill wall frames are widely used structures, including in earthquake-prone locations. The role of infill walls is often neglected in frame planning. However, infill walls play a role in improving frame performance under cyclic lateral loads. The material forming the infill wall, the type of connector between the column and the infill wall, and the connector distance determine the behavior of the frames. These things need to be analyzed to understand the performance of the frames. This research aimed to obtain the performance level of framed masonry wall (FMW) and framed lightweight concrete wall (FCW) structures to withstand cyclic lateral loads. The research was carried out using finite element-based software. The research results showed that FMW and FCW were highly ductile. FCW had a higher strength than FMW. However, it was not more ductile than FCW. The cumulative energy dissipation of FCW was 56.85% greater than FMW because it could bear lateral cyclic loads better. This indicates that masonry and lightweight concrete have the potential to infill walls for frames in earthquake-prone areas.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Siti Aisyah Nurjannah
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Saloma
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Anis Saggaff
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Arie Putra Usman
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Mona Fadila Rachmah
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Titanio Erick Law
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya, Indonesia.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/12834F

Sustainable Homes for All: Mass Timber Construction | Chapter 4 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

With the explosion in increased population migrating to cities, housing infrastructure poses one of the biggest challenges in India as well as other countries. The need for a safe space to live which transforms the quality and well-being reducing environmental challenges is a necessity. This article advocates for a paradigm shift in construction methodologies, emphasizing the adoption of emerging technologies to build faster while delivering superior quality homes at an economically viable scale. Central to this transformation is the utilization of Mass Timber Construction within a sustainable construction framework. By harnessing the potential of mass timber technology, we aim to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional construction practices and usher in a new era of carbon-neutral buildings and faster construction.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Architect Bharathi Prem
RNS School of Architecture, Bangalore, India.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/5308B

Using Public Key Algorithms in Cloud Computing Security | Chapter 3 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

Centered on its inherent data sharing and low latency features, cloud infrastructure is considered as an effective alternative to conventional information technology. Cloud service providers (CSPs) like Amazon, are capable of providing cloud users with various services by integrating powerful data centers. Users may utilize high-quality software to move their local data processing systems to cloud storage and save considerable investments in their local infrastructures. Annotation techniques by utilizing the pairs of meaning attributes are usually more descriptive, as they provide more details than the untyped methods. A new solution to use more concise queries with such annotations is the "pay-as-you-go" querying technique in data spaces.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Masarath Begum
Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, India.

 

Komal
Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, India.

 

Shilpa Tarnalle
Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Bidar, India.

 

Please see the link here:   https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/12215F

Determination of Sugarcane Bagasse Fiber Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Composites | Chapter 5 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

The purpose of this research highlights about cellulose and cellulignin fibres obtained from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) waste can be used as reinforcing filler in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. Natural fiber composites are one of the most appealing replacements for non-biodegradable glass and carbon fibers in the fabrication of thermosetting and thermoplastic composites. In the recent decade, there has been an increase in global warming, environmental changes, and other issues. Environmentally friendly products, such as natural composite materials, are being developed by researchers and academics to protect life on the planet. The injection method was used to create the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) composites. Fiber loading was set to be varied from 10 to 30 wt%. To improve interfacial bonding, the fibres were chemically modified using an alkali treatment, and the effects on the fiber/matrix interaction were evaluated using scanning electron micrographs (SEM). Tensile, impact, and hardness were used to determine the mechanical properties and corrosion tests. The study found that sugarcane bagasse fibers, like other natural fibers, reinforce polyethylene. The treated SCB fibers' tensile strength and modulus were found to be greatly increased by around 13% and 196%, respectively, when compared to plain LDPE. This was owing to the observed improvement in interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix. The impact resistance and hardness of the composite enhanced by 55.28% and 26%, respectively, over neat LDPE. According to SEM analysis, the alkali treatment affected the morphology of fibers.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Dalia Saber
Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt and Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, Saudi Arabia.

 

Mohamed A. El-Meniawy
Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

 

Ayman M. Abdelhaleim
Mechanical Design and Production Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

 

Asmaa H. Abdelnaby
Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

 

Kh. Abd El-Aziz
Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt and Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/8578E

The Long-term Evaluation Method of MBR Membrane | Chapter 7 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

The permeable volume and trans-membrane pressure difference of all 3520 days, from October 2011 to November 2021, in an A2/O-MBR RWTP (recycled water treatment plant) in Xi'an Siyuan University have been indiscriminately used to study an evaluation method of MBR hollow fiber membrane. The 1 m³permeable volume of 1000 ㎡membrane area at 1 day and 1 kPa trans-membrane pressure (TMP) difference is defined as one industrial permeability, 1 VMD.  The VMD of every day is directly calculated by using the daily computer’s records of the RWTP.  After excluding some anomalies from the original data, an arithmetic average of each 25 days (as a group unit) effective VMD was calculated.  Then, group units are reduced into annual units.  After four years, a power equation is fitted into the annual VMD attenuation equation of the previous four years of RWTP operation.  The calculation of the annual VMD attenuation equation is straightforward, simple, and convenient.  The VMD declined annually by about 0.78.  The TMP increased annually by about 0.66 kPa.

Author(s) Details:-

 

Li Dong
Energy and Chemical Engineering Research Center, Xi' an Siyuan University, Xi'an 710038, China.

 

Zhang Xuemei
Energy and Chemical Engineering Research Center, Xi' an Siyuan University, Xi'an 710038, China.

 

 

Ma Qinghua
Energy and Chemical Engineering Research Center, Xi' an Siyuan University, Xi'an 710038, China

 

Fu Bo
Regenerative Water Plant, Xi 'an Siyuan University, Xi' an 710038, China.

 

Qin Baolan
Regenerative Water Plant, Xi 'an Siyuan University, Xi' an 710038, China.

 

Hao Jingyuan
Energy and Chemical Engineering Research Center, Xi' an Siyuan University, Xi'an 710038, China and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Beilin District, Xi’an 710048, China.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/8441E

Fine-Tuning Crop Classification: A Deep Dive into Hyperparameters for Long Short-Term Memory Networks | Chapter 1 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

Remote sensing (RS) data and crop classification techniques provide useful information for crop yield estimation and prediction. Deep learning (DL) has seen a massive rise in popularity for remote sensing (RS)-based applications over the past few years. However, the performance of DL algorithms is dependent on the optimization of various hyperparameters since the hyperparameters have a huge impact on the performance of deep neural networks. The impact of hyperparameters on the accuracy and reliability of DL models is a significant area for investigation. The study region Charsadda is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, province of Pakistan. Five dates were chosen for satellite imagery in this investigation to capture the reflectance of crops at various growth stages. In this study, the grid Search algorithm is used for hyperparameters optimization of long short-term memory (LSTM) network for the RS-based classification. The hyperparameters considered for this study are optimizer, activation function, batch size, and the number of LSTM layers. In this study, over 1,000 hyperparameter sets are evaluated and the results of all the sets are analyzed to see the effects of various combinations of hyperparameters as well as the individual parameter effect on the performance of the LSTM model. The performance of the LSTM model is evaluated using the performance metric of minimum loss and average loss and it was found that classification can be highly affected by the choice of optimizer; however, other parameters such as the number of LSTM layers have less influence. This study shows that tuning the hyperparameters improves the model performance. The LSTM model for RS data yields the best performance with Adam, Nadam, RMSProp, and Adamax optimizers whereas it does not perform well with SGD, Adagrad, and Adadelta.

 

  Author(s) Details:

 

Nasru Minallah
Department of Computer Systems Engineering, National Center for Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC), University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

 

Madiha Sher
Department of Computer Systems Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

 

Tufail Ahmad
Department of Computer Sciences, National Center for Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC), University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

 

Waleed Khan
Department of Computer Systems Engineering, National Center for Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC), University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/7320C

Instance Segmentation for Accurate Lane Detection and Fitting with Hour Glass Network | Chapter 10 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 A novel approach is proposed to improve lane marking identification in autonomous driving systems by combining deep learning-based segmentation with traditional lane detection methods. This approach aims to address challenges faced by each technique individually, such as CNNs struggling with precise localization and traditional methods facing scalability issues. By integrating segmentation with handcrafted features and specialized fitting, the proposed method enhances network convergence speed and location accuracy. A unique lane fitting method based on convergent line prediction is introduced, particularly beneficial for challenging highway conditions. Experimental evaluations on four datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, showcasing notable improvements in robustness and accuracy in lane marking detection.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Rajesh S
Department of Informtion Technology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, India

 

Jeyapriya R
Department of Informtion Technology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, India.

 

Kaviya Varshini K
Department of Informtion Technology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, India.

 

Meenalochini V
Department of Informtion Technology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi, India.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/8307E

The Impact of Heat Input on the Microhardness and the Micro-structure of a Welded Carbon Steel and the Modeling of its Micro-crack | Chapter 2 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 The welding process induces changes in the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) owing to thermal effects. This implies alterations in mechanical properties and microstructure based on the magnitude of absorbed heat and cooling time. The analysis presented in this article reveals that the base metal, initially composed of ferrite and pearlite, undergoes a change in grain size after welding. During welding, the heat produced during the process can affect the microhardness and the microstructure of the material. The change in the microstructure and the microhardness can be discovered by carrying out a microhardness test on the welded sample and comparing changes in the three different zones i.e the base, the weld and the Heat affected zone (HAZ), or by carrying out a microstructural examination on the welded sample and see the grain dispersion in relation to their sizes. In this work, the weld quality of manual arc welded samples of low-carbon steel St3sp destined for bridge construction to be used in Cameroon has been investigated. After a chemical analysis of the material, a microhardness test and a microstructural examination were also done. Results show that a composition of pearlite and ferrite was seen with a composition of 20/80 respectively. For weld zone and HAZ it changes due to thermal processes. So the micro-structure analysis shows that the base metal is a ferrite and pearlite having a grain size of 11-12 on a scale corresponding to an average grain diameter ≈of 7 microns. The structure of the weld metal is also made up of ferrite and pearlite with columnar crystals of cast metal. The HAZ is made up of Widmanstätten. The width of the HAZ zone is about 1,5mm in different areas of heat affected zone and is observed fine-grained ferrite-pearlite structure with a high degree of dispersion. A micro-crack was revealed with a length of 1,7 mm in the HAZ of sample number 7 and a 1,2 mm length of micro-crack in the weld zone of this same probe was also revealed. The modeling of the micro-crack shows that the velocity of its propagation in the welded zone is higher as much than that in the heat-affected zone i.e. in the welded zone is estimated at 64.59m/s, while in heat affected zone is 0,354.1 m/s. This means that in the absence of welded and environmental defects, failure of structure will be common in the welded zone.

 

Author(s) Details:- 

 

 Mbelle Samuel Bisong
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Technology University of Buea, P.O. Box: 63, Buea, Cameroon and Department of Mechanical Engineering, ENSET Douala, P.O. Box: 1872, Douala, Cameroon.

 

Kevin Tsapi Tchoupou
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute, University of Bamenda, P.O Box, 39 Bambili, Cameroon.

 

Valeriy V. Lepov
Larionov Institute of Physical-Technical Problems of the North, FRC YSC SB RAS, 1, Oktyabrskaya, 677007 Yakutsk, Russia.

 

Kisito Pierre
Department of Physics, LMMSP University of Dschang, P.O. Box: BP 96, Dschang, Cameroon.

 

Please see the link here:-  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/7425B

Assessment of Errors Caused by Several Flux Limiters in Advection-Diffusion Flow Solution | Chapter 9 | Current Approaches in Engineering Research and Technology Vol. 2

 

This article discusses the errors caused by several flux limiters in advection-diffusion flow solutions. Numerous affordances have been developed to reduce the spurious oscillation during the last decade to solve various problems arising in mathematical physics. Flux limiters are widely used in numerical simulations to prevent spurious oscillation in the flow with strong property gradients. However, applying a flux limiter on flow without a strong property gradient such as advection-diffusion flow can cause errors due to the action of the limiter on the higher-order part of the flux. A method for applying one-dimensional limiters to two-dimensional unstructured mesh was also suggested. By contrasting a test case's finite volume solution with a reference solution, the error was calculated. According to the study, second-order finite volumes with flow limiters had greater calculation errors than those without limiters.

However, the error of third-order finite volume with flux limiter is less than that of second-order without flux limiter. Among the flux limiters tested in this study, Venkatakrishnan’s flux limiter produces the highest error, followed by Van Leer’s limiter, EULER and SMART limiter.

 

Author(s) Details:-

 

Adek Tasri
Mechanical Engineering Department, Universitas Andalas, Indonesia.

 

Please see the link here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/caert/v2/8563E

Introduction: Background, Aetiology and Pathogenesis | Chapter 1 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

This chapter serves to briefly introduce this book. It has four sections: a background that provides some history about the pandemic, a brief account of the aetiology of the disease, the pathogenesis and a conclusion

 

Author(s) Details:

 

Mbwas Isaac Mashor
Morbid Anatomy Department, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

 

Richard Kelechi Samuel
Histopathology Department, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja FCT, Nigeria.

 

Ugochukwu Anthony Eze
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria and Honorary Supervisor University of Edinburgh Masters of Surgery Program in Clinical Ophthalmology, United Kingdom.

 

Simji Samuel Gomerep
Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH1

Covid-19 Geriatric Considerations | Chapter 17 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, moved across the globe at an unprecedented speed, and is having profound and yet still unfolding health and socioeconomic impacts in the elderly. SARS-CoV-2, a β-coronavirus, is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen that causes a disease that has been termed the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Clinical features in the elderly thus far indicate that COVID-19 is highly diverse, ranging from being without symptoms and mild to severe symptoms and causing mortality. The elderly risk factors including increasing age, male gender, smoking, obesity sex, and comorbid conditions are key determinants of disease severity and progression. The elderly may present with fever, myalgia, headache, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, sore throat cough, dyspnea, chest pain, excessive sputum production, asthenia, diarrhea, falls, ageusia, anosmia, delirium, body weakness, aphasia, hypotension, low oxygen saturation, low mood and anhedonia.

 

 Author(s) Details:

 

Kumbet John Sonny
Geriatric Medicine Subdivision of Family Medicine Department, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nigeria.

 

Tahoma Jabbe
CBN Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH17

Haematological Manifestations of Covid-19 | Chapter 14 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) grew fast to become a global pandemic and a dreaded disease since its emergence in 2019. This work looks at the hematological manifestation and its effect on some hematological disorders.

The infection through multiple pathways resulted in lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis and multiple unique cellular changes seen following COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 can cause severe illness and death in people with a history of sickle cell disease (SCD). Patients with thalassemia are at increased risk of developing severe illness from respiratory infections, including COVID-19, than people without SCD. Individuals diagnosed with leukemias and other hematological malignancies also demonstrated increased adverse outcomes following infection with COVID-19 infections. Vaccine-induced thrombosis (VITT), a condition that has been associated with a specific type of vaccine rapidly came to light following the widespread vaccine campaign to control the spread of the virus.

 

Author(s) Details:

 

Aliyu Dahiru Waziri
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Science, Ahmadu Bello University/Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

 

Emmanuel Akoyi Akor
Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Prozone Diagnostic Laboratory, Jos, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH14

Rheumatic Manifestations of Covid-19 | Chapter 13 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

A number of inflammatory or autoimmune manifestations linked with COVID-19 have been reported to be associated with some musculo-skelatal manifestations. These manifestations include fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, vasculitis, autoantibodies, and chilblains. The underlying mechanisms are not completely clear but are thought to be directly or indirectly linked to circulating immune complexes, inflammatory cytokines and levels of complement proteins.

 

  Author(s) Details:

 

Pam Stephen Dung-Gwom
Department of Internal Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.

 

Chinemelum Adaora Onodugo
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

 

Ugochukwu Anthony Eze
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria and Honorary Supervisor, University of Edinburgh, Masters of Surgery Program in Clinical Ophthalmology, United Kingdom.

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH13

Corona Virus-19 Infection and Psychiatric Illnesses | Chapter 19 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) primarily affects the respiratory system, however, the clinical presentation of patients is usually multi-systemic due to the immunologic response to the virus. Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in one-third of patients during the acute phase of the infection and represent initial symptoms in a small number of patients. The exact mechanism by which COVID-19 causes Neuropsychiatric symptoms is not fully understood, however, researchers have suggested the roles of the hyperactive immune response and the affinity of the virus to some receptors in the brain, among other possibilities. There are pathognomonic neuropsychiatric symptoms specific to COVID-19, nevertheless, commonly reported and/or observed presentations include, delirium, anxiousness, depression and sleep problems. The majority of patients have mild to moderate symptom severity with optimal response to short-course of appropriate psychotropic medications and other psychosocial interventions.

 

Author(s) Details:

 

Ejike Chukwuma Nwokwor
Department of Psychiatry, Missouri University Hospital, Columbia MO, USA.

 

Muhammad Gidado Ibrahim
Department of Psychiatry, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH19

Gastrointestinal and Liver Manifestation of Covid-19 | Chapter 15 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

COVID-19 is caused by a respiratory virus and infected millions of people worldwide leading to a pandemic. Its origin was linked to seafood and wet animal markets therefore the likelihood of having gastrointestinal and liver manifestations is high. GI symptoms are common and mostly self-limiting but where they occur in combination or as a marked symptom, it tends to portend a worse outcome.

 

Author(s) Details:

 

Chikodili Crystal Umejiaku
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Nigeria.

 

Please see the book here: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH15

A Review of Sars-Cov-2 Pharmacotherapy | Chapter 18 | Clinical Manifestations of Covid-19: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach

 

The Coronavirus viral disease 2019 (COVID-19) is arguably the most important medical and public health challenge of the current decade. This has resulted in tens of millions of deaths and disturbed socio-economic lives across the globe.  Clinicians and scientists have been assessing many potential anti-virals for effective control of SARS-CoV-2. Many drugs have been repurposed and granted emergency authorization for use in the treatment of COVID-19 cases. Some of the drugs that have been assessed include Remdesivir, Ribavirine, Favipiravir, Lopinavir/ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, dexamethasone, biologics and the anti-parasitic ivermectin. Dexamethasone significantly cut mortality among severe and critical SARS-CoV-2 cases. There were no clinical benefits with the use of hydroxychloroquine and Lopinavir/ritonavir in the RECOVERY Trials. Early observational studies and a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Nigeria demonstrated the possibility of the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of SARSCoV-2. Overall, effective and efficient pharmacotherapeutic interventions will be important in achieving SARS-CoV-2 control. There is also evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine was effective in curtailing the effects of the pandemic. Different generic vaccines available are DNA vaccine, mRNA vaccine, and non-replicating viral vector vaccines

 

Author(s) Details:

 

Olumuyiwa Elijah Ariyo
Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State/Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria.

 

Joshua Gini
Stroke Medicine United Lincolnshire Hospital, Lincoln County Hospital, United Kingdom.

 

Oladipo Vincent Akinmade
USAID Integrated Health Program Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

 

Ugochukwu Anthony Eze
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria and Honorary Supervisor University of Edinburgh Masters of Surgery Program in Clinical Ophthalmology, United Kingdom

 

Please see the book here:  https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-973195-5-6/CH18