目次 at IgMin Research

Cloud seeding is a technique used to enhance precipitation in drought-prone areas, support agricultural productivity, ensure water supply for human consumption, improve hydropower generation from dams, lessen hurricanes, cool urban heat, and disperse fog in airports. Growing global population size and climate change are the biggest impetus for weather modification and cloud seeding operations. Currently, salt powders like silver iodide, potassium iodide, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), and liquid propane are w...idely used as ice nucleating particles for cloud seeding purposes while in natural cloud formation, and precipitation particles from dust storms, mineral dust and biological aerosols (like spores, pollen, bacteria) are the dominant ice nucleators. Having this knowledge on hand and the ubiquitous nature of fungi on the other hand; it is feasible to exploit the ice nucleating ability of fungal spores and use it as potential candidates for cloud seeding and weather modification operations.Read more

The study evaluates the efficacy of leufenuron, emamectin benzoate, and thiamethoxam against the Dusky Cotton Bug (Oxycarenus laetus Kirby) using residue-based bioassay methods. Key findings indicate that emamectin benzoate showed the highest efficacy with the lowest LC50 value, making it the most potent insecticide among those tested. Leufenuron and thiamethoxam followed, displaying moderate effectiveness. The results highlight the comparative advantages of emamectin benzoate in controlling Dusky Cotton Bug populations, suggesting its potentia...l role in integrated pest management strategies. This study underscores the need for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional insecticides in mitigating yield losses in cotton production.Read more

Two contrasting opinions about virus taxonomy or, more precisely, about virus nomenclature, appeared in the first 2004 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases [1,2]. These differring ideas about scientific (vs. common) names of viruses are part of a long disagreement among virologists that can be tracked to the early 1950s [3,4].

This research used the improved export coefficient model to estimate non-point source load in sub-watersheds and a self-organizing map model to identify the correlation relationship of factors, that can be affected by non-point source load in Yangtze River Basin. Research results indicate that total nitrogen load is 4.87 - 15.53 kg/ha; total phosphorus load is 0.18 - 0.51 kg/ha; Dong Ting Lake sub-basin has the lowest contribution value of total nitrogen and phosphorus; Tai Lake sub-basin has the highest contribution load of total nitrogen and ...total phosphorus; Jinsha River sub-basin reveals the highest value of total nitrogen and phosphorus contribution on grassy land and desert land; Tai Lake sub-basin has the highest total nitrogen and total phosphorus load on forest, agricultural land, and urban construction land. The correlation relationship of factors reveals a very close correlation with each other as precipitation, total nitrogen load, and total phosphorus load factors have correlation in the highest value, in which total nitrogen load and total phosphorus load factors have a close correlation with each other from the lowest value to highest value; wetland and barren land factors correlate with the lowest value and the highest value; agricultural land, forestland, and grassy land factors correlate with one another in the high value and the highest value. The forest cover rate factor, as well as the population factor, does not correlate with other factors.Read more

The widespread explanations of the greenhouse effect taught to millions of schoolchildren are misleading. The objective of this work is to clarify how increasing CO2 produces warming in current times. It is found that there are two contexts for the greenhouse gas effect. In one context, the fundamental greenhouse gas effect, one imagines a dry Earth starting with no water or CO2 and adding water and CO2. This leads to the familiar “thermal blanket” that strongly inhibits IR transmission from the Earth to the atmosphere. The Earth is... much warmer with H2O and CO2. In the other context, the current greenhouse gas effect, CO2 is added to the current atmosphere. The thermal blanket on IR radiation hardly changes. But the surface loses energy primarily by evaporation and thermals. Increased CO2 in the upper atmosphere carries IR radiation to higher altitudes. The Earth radiates to space at higher altitudes where it is cooler, and the Earth is less able to shed energy. The Earth warms to restore the energy balance. The “thermal blanket” is mainly irrelevant to the current greenhouse gas effect. It is concluded that almost all discussions of the greenhouse effect are based on the fundamental greenhouse gas effect, which is a hypothetical construct, while the current greenhouse gas effect is what is happening now in the real world. Adding CO2 does not add much to a “thermal blanket” but instead, drives emission from the Earth to higher, cooler altitudes.Read more

Many applications in science, engineering, and modern technology require the solution of boundary value problems for genuine three-dimensional objects. These objects often are of or can be approximated by, an ellipsoidal shape, where the three ellipsoidal semiaxes correspond to three independent degrees of freedom. The triaxial ellipsoid represents the sphere of any anisotropic space and for this reason, it appears naturally in many scientific disciplines. Consequently, despite the complications of the ellipsoidal geometry and mainly its analys...is, based on the theory of ellipsoidal harmonics, a lot of progress has been made in the solution of ellipsoidal boundary value problems, due to its general applicability. In this mini-review, we aim to present to the scientific community the main achievements towards the investigation of three such physical problems of medical, engineering and technological significance, those comprising intense research in (a) electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), (b) creeping hydrodynamics (Stokes flow) and (c) identification of metallic impenetrable bodies, either embedded within the Earth’s conductive subsurface or located into a lossless air environment. In this context, special expertise and particular skills are needed in solving open boundary value problems that incorporate the ellipsoidal geometry and the related harmonic analysis, revealing the fact that there still exists the necessity of involving with these issues.Read more

Issues of maintenance of manufacture adaptability are considered in the article on an example of roller squeezing machines; recommendations to increase the manufacture adaptability of designs are offered. The geometry and kinematics of the attachment points of the base plate of a vertical-type squeezing roller machine are considered.

Traditionally, in lecture courses on General Physics, the example of waves propagating on the water surface is used for the qualitative description of wave phenomena. At the same time, in corresponding laboratory courses, there are almost no quantitative tasks on the same topic, the purpose of which would be to measure the surface wave characteristics. The reason for this difference must be associated with the complexity of the physical mechanism of generation and propagation of waves on the water surface. In this work, a laboratory problem has... been developed to measure the group velocity of circular waves traveling on the water surface. It uses a standard laboratory water tank equipped with a surface wave generator. The proposed experiment offers an opportunity for quantitative measurement of surface wave characteristics, a dispute of only qualitative observations of wave phenomena commonly found in current curricula, due to the introduction of two improvements. First, to produce the water waves’ rich in-contrast representations on a screen, the optimal generator amplitude is specially set for each experiment; and second, to measure the group wavelength, the device magnification is preliminary calculated based on the laws of geometric optics. The tests carried out have shown that the relative accuracy of these measurements is quite acceptable: within a few percent. The introduction of the problem of surface waves on water into the General Physics laboratory workshop for engineering specialties of technical universities will contribute to improving the quality of mastering the subject by students.Read more

The theoretical concept of photonic quantum nonlocality cannot be implemented physically because of the quantum Rayleigh scattering of single photons. A distinction needs to be made between the correlation of individual, single measurements of pure states and the correlation of the measured ensembles of mixed states. The correlation operator of Pauli vector operators delivers the same probabilities of correlated detections of photons for both independent and multi-photon states as for ‘entangled’ states of photons. As single-photon ...sources are not needed, the design and implementation of quantum computing operations and other devices will be significantly streamlined.Read more

This paper presents an in-depth Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Lukala Cement Plant, highlighting the environmental impacts associated with cement production. The cement industry, as one of the largest emitters of CO2, raises major sustainability concerns, particularly due to the deleterious effects on climate and public health. The objectives of this research include not only assessing greenhouse gas emissions but also identifying concrete methods to reduce these impacts. The study reveals that the Lukala Cement Plant emits approximately 57...9,130 tons of CO₂ per year, mainly from the decarbonation of limestone (67%) and the clinkerization process (33%). These figures far exceed regulatory thresholds, highlighting the urgency of rapid and effective intervention to mitigate these emissions. The LCA identified the most polluting production steps, including extraction, grinding, and clinkerization, paving the way for targeted and strategic improvements. Opportunities for optimization were identified, including the use of less pure limestone, the integration of recycled materials, and the transition to renewable energy sources for the clinkerization process. This research is crucial in the current context of the fight against climate change. As a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the cement industry must imperatively adopt sustainable practices. LCA provides a robust methodology to quantify environmental impacts and identify appropriate solutions. The results of this study can be applied to other cement plants around the world, serving as a model for other carbon-intensive industries. Future research should explore the integration of innovative technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, and the use of alternative materials in cement production. This study highlights the importance of immediate and coordinated action to transform the cement industry into a sustainable sector, ensuring economic profitability while protecting the environment for future generations. Commitment to environmentally responsible production practices is not only desirable but also essential to ensuring a sustainable future.Read more

Study objective: Adolescent females are disproportionately affected by Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Endocervical Gram stain smears taken during gynecological examination are inexpensive, relatively easy procedures to perform and interpret. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of Gram smears in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in a female adolescent population presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with genitourinary complai...nts.Methods: This study was a retrospective, cohort analysis of consecutive females (ages 13 – 19) seen at three academic medical centers over a two-year study period. All patients underwent a pelvic exam with diagnostic testing for STIs. Positive criteria for a Gram stain included greater than ten white blood cells per high-power field, gram-negative intracellular/extracellular diplococci (suggesting GC), or direct visualization of TV organisms. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays were used as the gold standard definition for CT/GC infection. Direct microscopic visualization of organisms on a separate wet mount prep was considered the gold standard for TV infection. Demographic information, clinical findings of cervicitis, and the results of diagnostic testing were obtained from ED records using standardized abstraction forms. Results: During the study period, 1303 adolescent females were evaluated for genitourinary complaints. A total of 181 adolescents (12.9%) had at least one documented STI. Overall, 298 patients (22.9%) had positive gram stains. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio for Gram stain in the diagnosis of STI were 28.7% (95% CI, 22.2 to 35.9), 78.1% (95% CI, 75.5 to 80.5), and 1.31 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.7), respectively. The sensitivity of Gram stain to Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis were 35.9% (95% CI 26.8 to 45.8), 34.5% (95% CI 18.0 to 54.3), and 5.7% (95% CI 1.3 to 15.7), respectively. The consistency of the data recording was excellent, with a median kappa statistic of 0.89.Conclusions: The positive likelihood ratio of inflammation on endocervical Gram stain is too low to recommend its use to direct empiric treatment of adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted infections. Diagnostic uncertainty or treatment failures should prompt specific laboratory testing. Read more

Clitoromegaly, defined as an enlarged clitoris with a clitoral index of more than 35 mm2 is a frequently seen congenital malformation but an idiopathic entity is a rare one. The most acceptable method of treatment of clitoromegaly is clitoroplasty with preservation of neurovascular pedicle to glans to achieve normal genital anatomy and to preserve tactile sensation. We present a rare case of idiopathic clitoromegaly managed by dorsal nerve sparing reduction clitoroplasty in an HBsAg-positive patient. 

Background: There is an increasing focus on communication between doctors and patients, and recent systematic reviews argue that teaching doctors necessary communication skills benefits patients at large. Moreover, patients report the lack of communication as their second-leading complaint. Motivational interviewing has proved to be person-centered in healthcare in communication between patients and doctors.Aim: To examine how being inspired by motivational interviewing theory and using the Calgary Cambridge guide could improve medical students...' communication skills at the master level using a mixed-method approach.Methods: A cohort study with an exposed cohort compared to a non-exposed historical cohort. The participants were students in their sixth year of medical training from the Clinical Department of the University of Southern Denmark. The non-exposed cohort received laboratory training based on the Calgary Cambridge Guide. After this training, they participated in a two-month clinical "stay" and recorded two digital audio files of a real conversation with a patient about delivering information. The exposed cohort followed the same schedule but received additional special training in MI. All audio files were analyzed using the Motivational Interviewing Integrity method (MITI). An additional focus group interview was conducted to support the results.Results: Medical students demonstrated improvements in several essential areas of their communication style favorable to the MI approach, particularly empathy, and person-centeredness. The focus group interviews supported these findings.Read more

With the development of safe blood supply and transfusion comes the introduction of quality as a culture, implemented through the introduction of a Quality System (QS) and Quality Management System (QMS). Often the idea is that– ‘when instructions are written (SOPs) a quality system is in place. Just follow the instructions, that is it.’ However, quality only partly depends on following instructions at the operational level. Generally not understood is the importance of designing and implementing a quality management system, b...ased on 5 key elements 1) organization and structure; 2) standards (technical and quality); 3) documentation - traceability and evidence; 4) education - continued teaching and training; 5) assessment - continued monitoring and evaluation.Development and implementation of an appropriate quality system and management were evaluated for 15 developing countries (2004-2020) in 4 WHO regions. Projects were based on a step-by-step introduction to the concept and principles of quality following a Quality Management Training (QMT) course – modular, interactive, with improvement score evaluation focused on comprehension and ownership of the teaching and training contents.For an optimal understanding of the values of quality in Transfusion Medicine (TM), a culture has to be created - ownership development, commitment to and implementation of the principles of fitness for purpose, and the supplier-producer-customer continuum.Read more

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common diseases affecting many persons including Healthcare Professionals (HCPs). LBP affects the quality of work and daily activities in HCPs. However, many factors contribute to LBP including age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and working experience. Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of LBP and examine the potential risk factors associated with LBP in Chinese HCPs (surgeons and surgical nurses). Method: A cross-sectional survey performed from October 2023 to ...January 2024. Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) was used to assess the rating of LBP impairment. As well as Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) is used to assess the working postures of HCPs. In addition to five more questions with yes/no answers.Results: A total of 250 surgeons and surgical nurses were collected from six hospitals with a mean age of 45.8 ± 11.0 years old, 47 females and 203 males. The BMI was 25.07 ± 1.49 kg, and working experience was 20.30 ± 10.0 years. Working hours in a week range from < 50 to > 55 hours. However, the OWAS action category was 1 in 109, 2 in 107, 3 in 30, and 4 in 4 participants. The majority of participants with mild LBP (90.4%), half of them had neck pain, and 26% with knee pain. The QBPDS scores of HCPs with LBP were 10.88 ± 4.78. Moreover, the risk factors associated with LBP include long working hours and incorrect postures of the trunk and lower extremities. As well as notice the orthopedic surgeon was the highest risk among HCPs (p = 0.046, 0.005).Conclusion: LBP is a common disorder in surgeons and surgical nurses and is associated with different factors including age, work experience, BMI, and abnormal working posture.Read more

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various industries has led to concerns about how these systems can perpetuate discrimination, particularly in fields like employment, healthcare, and public policy. Multiple academic and business perspectives on AI discrimination, focusing on the need for global policy coordination and ethical oversight to mitigate biased outcomes, ask for our technical innovators to create contingencies that will better protect humanity’s experience with AI’s ever-expanding reach. Centra...l to the key constructs such as biased datasets, algorithmic transparency, and the global governance of AI systems can function as a harmful drawback to these systems. Without adequate data governance and transparency, AI systems can perpetuate discrimination. AI's ability to discriminate stems primarily from biased data and the opacity of machine learning models, necessitating proactive research and policy implementation on a global scale. These frameworks must transcend the limitations of the experiences or perspectives of their programmers to ensure that AI innovations are ethically sound and that their use in global organizations adheres to principles of fairness and accountability. This synthesis will explore how these articles advocate for comprehensive, continuous monitoring of AI systems and policies that address both local and international concerns, offering a roadmap for organizations to innovate responsibly while mitigating the risks of AI-driven discrimination.Read more

Quantum theory has led to the development of quantum technology and also advances in quantum technology further enhance our understanding of quantum theory. Among these technologies, quantum computing holds special importance as it is based on the quantum states concept, known as qubits or qudits. To advance quantum computation, it is crucial to deepen our understanding of quantum field theory. In this letter, we define quantum understanding as the first step towards this goal. Transitioning from classical to quantum perception is essential, as... maintaining a classical viewpoint introduces numerous challenges in building a quantum computer. However, adopting quantum thinking mitigates these difficulties. This letter will first introduce quantum perception by examining the process of classical understanding and how this new approach to thinking transforms our perspective of nature. We will discuss how this shift in thinking provides a better conceptual understanding of the realization of quantum technology and quantum computing.Read more