bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors that Affect Usage of Educational Information Technologies by Children and Inequalities related with Such Usage
Authors: YANIK İLHAN Bengi , ERER Deniz
Published: August 2022

Usage of Information Technologies by children (6–15-year-olds) is increasing day by day. All schools have adopted online education after the breakout of the Covid-19 Pandemic. This new situation is affected by households’ socioeconomic backgrounds. As there are inequalities among households via socioeconomic conditions that lead to education inequalities, the pandemic has exacerbated the existing inequalities related to education. From this point of view, it is crucial to examine the factors that affect the usage of information technologies and the Internet for educational purposes. This paper uses the 2013 Household Information Technologies Usage Survey (HITUS). We estimate the probability of using information technologies and the Internet for education with logistic regression. Age has the highest impact on increasing Internet use for teaching. Being a girl has a negative effect on using the Internet for education. Conversely, being a girl has a positive impact when we use only Internet users as the sample. This means that whenever a girl starts using the Internet, the probability of using it for education is higher for girls than for boys. Educational impact changes based on the sample used. Education increases lead to the rise for all, while it decreases when we use only Internet users. All the regions have a higher probability of using the Internet for education compared to the Southeast. However, regional impacts are changing. Istanbul and the West Black Sea region have the most significant changes in the probability while being in urban areas loses its effect whenever a child starts using the Internet.
Emergências em Oftalmologia
Authors: Moura Brasil Oswaldo
Published: August 2022

Este trabalho é um resumo da apresentação “Emergências em Oftalmologia” realizada em 29 de agosto de 2021, durante o Curso de Emergências Clínicas da Academia Nacional de Medicina.
Multi-drug Resistant bacterial causes of Meningitis in different age groups
Authors: I. S Mahmoud. , K. I Altaif. , I. A Hailat , W. M Al-Jewari , A Wayyes
Published: August 2022

This work is aimed to find the common bacteria which causes meningitis in different age groups of patients attending AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and AL-Khadymia Pediatrics Hospital in Baghdad City. It is also targeted to determine the Pattern of the susceptibilities of the bacterial isolates from CSF samples to the commonly used antimicrobials in these two hospitals. Each CSF sample was collected under aseptic conditions by a well trained staff. Transferred soon to the laboratory, All CSF samples were subjected to well-known established microbiological techniques for the final diagnosis of the bacterial isolates. For Antimicrobial susceptibility tests, each bacterial isolate was subjected to the modified Kirby – Bauer method to find out whether an isolate is sensitive or resistant to a certain drug (antibiotic) based on the size of the zone – of growth inhibition as that of the manufacture information. Based on gender, it has been found that S. pneumonia represented the highest number among female group. From the age point of view, it has been found that S. pneumonia and H. influenza represented the highest percentage for the age groups of (5-7) and (8-10) years respectively. From the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test the overall picture is that of multi – drug resistance of the bacterial isolates e.g H. influenza and N.meningitidis are completely (100%) resistant to Imipenem.
Αλλεργική ρινίτιδα και ατμοσφαιρική ρύπανση: νέα κλινικά στοιχεία για την υδροχλωρική φεξοφεναδίνη 180 mg
Authors: Murrieta-Aguttes Margarita , Volonte Marina
Published: August 2022

Η έκθεση στους ατμοσφαιρικούς ρύπους και η κλιματική αλλαγή αποτελούν παράγοντες που συμβάλλουν στον αυξημένο επιπολασμό και την παρόξυνση των συμπτωμάτων της αλλεργικής ρινίτιδας (ΑΡ). Σε μια τυχαιοποιημένη, ελεγχόμενη κλινική δοκιμή (μελέτη FEXPOLSAR) όπου χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένα αναγνωρισμένο και επικυρωμένο μοντέλο ελεγχόμενης πρόκλησης της ΑΡ με αλλεργιογόνο, η φεξοφεναδίνη 180 mg έχει φανεί ότι είναι αποτελεσματική στην ανακούφιση από τα συμπτώματα της επιδεινούμενης από ατμοσφαιρικούς ρύπους ΑΡ που προκαλείται από τη γύρη.
Inhibition of lens protein glycation and aldose reductase activity using Aqueous extract of Morinda Citrifolia and Ocimum Sanctum in Glucose induced diabetic cataract
Authors: Katta Ashok , Murugan M.
Published: August 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder characterized by persistent elevated blood glucose level in the body which leads to various secondary complications like cataract. The understanding of mechanisms by which glucose exerts its toxicity is of utmost importance for rational pharmacological interventions to treat diabetic cataract. Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. The aim of the present study was to explore local antiglycation and anticataract potential of M. citrifolia and O. sanctum in goat lenses using glucose induced cataract model. A total of 120 goat lenses were divided into four groups of 30 each viz.  Normal Control, Experimental diabetic cataract, Experimental diabetic cataract + Extract of Morinda citrifolia (0.25%), Experimental diabetic cataract Extract of Ocimum sanctum (0.25%). Extent of protein glycation and activity of aldose reductase were measured in lens homogenates. Experimental cataractous lenses showed increased levels of both glycation of protein as well as aldose reductase activity. However, lenses treated with M. citrifolia as well as O. sanctum showed significant decreased levels of both glycation of protein and aldose reductase activity.
A comparative study to show the improvement in quality of life by short-term and long-term meditation by raj yoga meditation to reduce stress
Authors: Rastogi Shalini , Kumar Raj , Hussain Md Sabir , Rastogi Vichal
Published: August 2022

Background: Meditation brings certain biochemical and physical changes in the body namely changes in metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain chemistry, collectively referred to as the ‘relaxation response. The present study was carried out to compare the improvement in quality of life by short term and long-term meditation by raj yoga meditation to reduce stress. Materials & Methods: 120 patients suffering from stress aged 18–50 years were included in the study. The patients suffering from stress were randomized to divide into two groups: Group I i.e. short term meditation by raj yoga meditation and Group II i.e. long term meditation by raj yoga meditation. Complete clinical examination, including general and systemic examination was done. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questions were rated. Data was collected and analysed by SPSS 22.P values of less than 0.05 was concerned significant.
Potential clinical relevance of the common pathophysiological pathway in Kounis syndrome and non allergic acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Petric Domina
Published: August 2022

Kounis syndrome is defined as the occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome associated with mast cell and platelet activation in the setting of allergic or anaphylactic reactions. The same mediators released from the same inflammatory cells are also present in acute coronary events of a non allergic etiology. There is a sufficient evidence about common pathophysiological pathway between allergic and non allergic acute coronary syndrome, with mast cells and pro-inflammatory molecules such as histamine, tryptase, chymase, thromboxane, leukotrienes, and IL-6, playing a crucial role. On the other hand, there is no sufficient evidence to support the use of intravenous corticosteroids and/or antihistamines in a non allergic acute coronary syndrome, but further clinical research might be relevant.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width: Diagnostic Value in Pediatric Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Santos Mafalda , Costa Raquel , Campos Joana , Horta Patricia , Salgado Concei
Published: August 2022

Introduction and Objectives: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common causes of urgent surgery in children and is still associated with diagnostic difficulties. As the red blood width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MVP) may be related to inflammatory processes, this study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of RDW in AA in pediatric population. Methods: A retrospective and observational study was conducted. Data was collected from medical records of all patients with clinical suspicion of AA who underwent appendectomy at a secundary hospital during a period of 36 months. Preoperative analytical values were analyzed and compared with a control group. Results: Medical records of 305 patients with a mean age of 12.1 years were analyzed. Children with simple or perforated appendicitis had significantly higher RDW than those with a normal appendix. Compared with the controls mean RDW was significantly higher in the acute appendicitis group (14.16 ± 1.2% vs.13.09 ± 0.9%, p <0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the analytical parameter VPM in the diagnosis of AA. Conclusion: In this study, children with an histologically diagnosed acute appendicitis have higher RDW than children without appendicitis. Being a parameter included in the blood count and without additional costs, it may represent a valuable aid in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Further research is needed due to the limited number of studies on this topic in childhood.
New Generalized Regression Estimators Using a Ratio Method and Its Variance Estimation for Unequal Probability Sampling without Replacement in the Presence of Nonresponse
Authors: Ponkaew Chugiat , Lawson Nuanpan
Published: August 2022

One of the most important problems for planning in economics is that reliable data can be difficult to obtain either because it has not been recorded or because of nonresponse in surveys. This paper is aimed at proposing new generalized regression estimators using the ratio method of estimation for estimating population mean and population total and also variance estimators of the proposed generalized regression estimators in the presence of uniform nonresponse of a study variable. We show in theory that the proposed estimators are almost unbiased under unequal probability sampling without replacement when nonresponse occurs in the study. In the simulation studies, the performances of the proposed estimators were better when compared to the existing ones in terms of minimum relative bias and relative root mean square error. In an application to Thai maize in Thailand with 2019 data, we can see that the proposed estimators gave smaller variance estimates when compared to the existing estimators
Factors Influencing Undergraduate Students’ Decision to Migrate to Social Network Sites as Part of their Studies
Authors: Chalkiadakis Ioannis , Dania Aspasia , Adamakis Manolis , Dimopoulos Fotios , Chasapis Iakovos , Christopoulos Christos
Published: August 2022

Previous research has shown that university students’ decision to use social networks for academic reasons is influenced by several factors. However, until today there is no validated instrument measuring the factors that influence undergraduates to migrate to online networks for educational purposes. The aim of this study was to propose and validate the Push–Pull–Mooring - Physical Education (PPM-PE) questionnaire and examine possible factors that contribute to students’ decisions for social network use. Participants were 302 Physical Education (PE) students from a Greek Faculty of PE and Sport Science. Data analysis with exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure that measured undergraduates’ use of social networks for academic learning purposes. Multivariate analyses of covariance indicated that gender had a significant effect on students’ social networking patterns, while device access did not. Age and hours spent online significantly contributed to the above differences. Findings are discussed in relation to the PPM framework and the idiosyncrasies of online instruction within PE university contexts.
Guidance for Professionals from a Transgender Midwife
Authors: Welch Nathan
Published: August 2022

In this final article of our transgender series, Nathan Welch provides a trans midwife’s perspective on how healthcare professionals can improve the experience of trans pregnant people using midwifery services.
The Bhagavad Gita as the Epitome of Indian Psychology vis-à-vis Modern psychology
Authors: Krishnan Rajshekar
Published: August 2022

The Indian tradition has always revered the Bhagavad Gita as a text of marvellous universality with the ability to throw light on many aspects of an individual’s life journey. Further, its importance is underscored by its preeminence as a source book of Indian Psychology. Indian Psychology is a modern appellation given to the extraction, compilation and consolidation, from Indian sources, of the principles of psychology based on the framework of concepts and categorisation of the western tradition of psychology. This article examines the deep insights into the human psyche as presented and intuited from the Bhagavad Gita and consolidates them into maxims. The examination of Indian Psychology is guided by Advaita Vedanta - which is one of the windows of interpreting the Bhagavad Gita. The generic and particular principles of Indian Psychology as seen through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita are then studied in apposition with the principles of modern psychology. This study yields an interesting set of observations about the common ground between the two disciplines: indicating what Indian Psychology could learn from Modern Psychology; and the unique insights that Indian Psychology offers which could contribute to a better understanding and handling of human existential crisis and its resolution through better informed existential quests. In an attempt to give a practical orientation, the article examines briefly the principles of Indian psychology that influenced the life of three national leaders who have publicly acknowledged their debt to the Bhagavad Gita, having been life-long students of the text viz. Lokamanya Tilak, Sri Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi. The uniqueness of their personality/leadership will be correlated to the Bhagavad Gita’s repository of the Principles of Indian Psychology.
Enfermedades hepáticas y covid-19: un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial.
Authors: Lascano Espinoza Doménica Pauleth , Olivez Gracia Johana Micaela , Durán Pincay Yelisa Estefanía , Quintanilla Marco
Published: August 2022

La enfermedad del Covid-19 ocasionada por el virus SARS-CoV-2, es considerada de gran impacto por ser un problema de salud pública. Se conoce actualmente que Covid-19, es una enfermedad sistémica que puede afectar múltiples órganos y tejidos que puede ser fatal. La afectación hepática en relación a la Covid-19 se asemeja a cualquier daño hepático que ocurre durante el proceso de la enfermedad. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo Analizar las enfermedades hepáticas y Covid-19: un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial por el impacto presente en las enfermedades hepáticas como: Cirrosis, Esteatosis hepática, Hepatitis B y C, entre otros. Para el desarrollo del artículo se utilizó una investigación de tipo descriptivo y diseño bibliográfico y se procedió a investigar el objeto de estudio para describir la relación que existe entre las enfermedades hepáticas y Covid-19. Resultados: dentro de los estudios basados en artículos científicos y páginas web, se encontró relación entre las enfermedades hepáticas y Covid-19 en estos dos años de pandemia. En conclusión, se evidenció que existe una asociación entre las enfermedades hepáticas y la infección por Covid-19, prevaleciendo la hepatitis C con 61,40% y el Covid-19 con 46,2%, indicando las pruebas diagnósticas de laboratorio consideradas de gran importancia para la detección de enfermedades del hígado y Covid-19.
Dossiê Temático - Apresentação: ESCREVER, DANÇAR, CRITICAR
Authors: Arrais Joubert de Albuquerque
Published: August 2022

Artigo de apresentação do dossiê temático As escritas da dança e as críticas de dança: entre o escrever, o dançar e o criticar, que compõe a edição 9 da Revista Dança (2021).
AS AVENTURAS DO MARXISMO NO BRASIL
Authors: Musse Ricardo
Published: August 2022

74 musse

A meditação acerca da importância e do

lugar do

marxismo na sociedade brasileira – seja na vida

política e

social, seja na produção intelectual e cultural

–

adquiriu uma via privilegiada com a conclusão da obra

coletiva

História do marxismo no Brasil. Um inventário,

mesmo que

precário, de suas lacunas e

superposições

também abre espaço para um balanço da

produção bibliográfica sobre o

marxismo

brasileiro. A partir disso, torna-se possível destacar

estruturas e tendências em seu desenvolvimento

histórico.

Palavras-chave: Marxismo brasileiro. Partido Comunista do Brasil (PCB).

Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT). História do marxismo no

Brasil.

THE

ADVENTURES OF MARXISM IN BRAZIL

Ricardo Musse

The thinking on the importance and the place of Marxism in Brazilian

society, be it in political and social life, be it in the intellectual

and cultural output, has gained an outstanding path with the completion

of the collective work History of Marxism in Brazil. An inventory, even

a precarious one, of its gaps and overlaps also allows for an overview

of the bibliographic output on Brazilian Marxism. Starting from this,

it becomes possible to highlight structures and trends in its

historical development.

Keywords: Brazilian Marxism. Communist Party of Brazil.

Workers’

Party (Brazil). History of Marxism in Brazil.

LES

AVENTURES DU MARXISME AU

BRÉSIL

Ricardo Musse

La réflexion concernant l’importance et la place

du

marxisme dans la société brésilienne

– que

ce soit dans la vie politique et sociale ou dans la production

intellectuelle et culturelle – a acquis une place

privilégiée grâce à la

conclusion de

l’ouvrage collectif Histoire du marxisme au

Brésil. Un

inventaire de ses lacunes et de ses chevauchements qui, même

s’il reste précaire, permet de faire un bilan de

la

production bibliographique sur le  marxisme

brésilien. Il

est alors possible de mettre en évidence les structures et

les

tendances de son développement historique.

Mots-clés: Marxisme brésilien. Parti Communiste

du

Brésil (PCB). Parti des Travailleurs (PT). Histoire du

marxisme

au Brésil.

Publicação

Online

do Caderno CRH no Scielo: http://www.scielo.br/ccrh 

Publicação

Online

do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
The Choreoathetotic Movement of Paroxysmal Nonkinesigenic Dyskinesia
Authors: Huang Xinqi , Chen Jia , Ren Liankun
Published: August 2022

This case report describes a 14-year-old boy with paroxysmal involuntary movement attacks that were diagnosed as paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia.
The Pediatrician in the Post-Roe Landscape
Authors: Wilkinson Tracey A. , Maslowsky Julie , Berlan Elise D.
Published: August 2022

This Viewpoint discusses adolescent and young adult reproductive health care in a post-Roe environment.
Output‐feedback boundary adaptive fault‐tolerant control for scalar hyperbolic partial differential equation systems with actuator faults
Authors: Guo Runsheng , Li Jiachen , Sun Kangkang , Wang Tong , Qiu Jianbin
Published: August 2022

This article studies the output‐feedback adaptive fault‐tolerant boundary control problem for scalar hyperbolic partial differential equation systems with actuator faults. All the coefficients of the controlled plant are unknown, and two types of actuator faults, that is, multiplicative faults and additive faults, are considered simultaneously. For the state estimation problem, two filters are constructed, based on which an observer is obtained to estimate the system state. A parametric model is established for actuator faults, based on which the parameter updating laws of gradient type are then developed to identify actuator faults and to estimate the unknown system coefficients. With the observer and the parameter updating laws, an output‐feedback adaptive fault‐tolerant boundary control law is developed via infinite‐dimensional backstepping method. The boundness of all the signals involved in the control design is guaranteed and the convergence of system states is also confirmed. Finally, the simulation results are given to testify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Photoredox‐mediated Multicomponent Reactions
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Anagha Varma A. , Punnya A. J. , Gopinath Purushothaman
Published: August 2022

Multicomponent reactions (MCR's) provide a unique opportunity for synthetic chemists to achieve the synthesis of complex organic molecules in a single step. Although MCR are known for more than a century, their utility, in general, is limited to a narrow set of reactions due to the inherent difficulties in controlling the desired reactivity & selectivity with three or more components. Photoredox catalysis on the other hand has recently gathered more attention from synthetic chemists due to its simplicity and the new type of reactivity it can offer. In this direction, many new multicomponent reactions mediated by photoredox catalysis are reported. Given the importance of thsis special type of reaction and in order to further design new photomediated multicomponent reactions, a review of the existing reports is very essential. We have broadly divided this review based on the type of photocatalyst used for the multicomponent reaction such as metal photocatalysis, organophotoredox catalysis & dual transition metal‐photoredox catalysis.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and cytotoxic activity in tumor cells of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with o‐vanillin amino acids Schiff bases
Authors: Dinev Desislav , Popova Katya B. , Zhivkova Tanya , Dyakova Lora , Abudalleh Abedullkader , Alexandrova Radostina , Culita Daniela C. , Mocanu Teodora , Maxim Catalin , Marinescu Gabriela
Published: August 2022

Two new families of Cu(II) and Co(II) mononuclear complexes with mixed ligands, [Cu(VanTrpt)(bipy)]·MeOH (CuVanTrpt), [Cu(VanSer)(bipy)]·4H2O (CuVanSer), [Cu(VanTyr)(bipy)]·H2O (CuVanTyr), [Cu(VanThr)(bipy)]·MeOH (CuVanThr), [Co(VanTrpt)(bipy)(OH2)]·H2O·MeOH (CoVanTrpt), [Co(VanSer)(bipy)(OH2)]·MeOH (CoVanSer), [Co(VanTyr)(bipy)(OH2)]·3H2O·MeOH (CoVanTyr), and [Co(VanThr)(bipy)(OH2)] (CoVanThr), (VanX are Schiff base proligands resulted from the condensation of o‐vanillin with D,L‐tryptophan (VanTrpt), L‐serine (VanSer), L‐tyrosine (VanTyr), and L‐threonine (VanThr), respectively, and bipy is 2,2′‐bipyridine), have been obtained and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, and spectral data (FT‐IR and UV–Vis–Nir spectroscopy). Crystal structures of CuVanTrpt, CuVanSer, and CuVanTyr have been solved by single‐crystal X‐Ray diffraction. Biological evaluation revealed that they are cytotoxic in HeLa (human carcinoma of the uterine cervix) and LSR‐SF‐SR (rat sarcoma induced by Rous sarcoma virus strain Schmidt‐Ruppin) cells, showing an enhancement of cytotoxicity dependent of concentration and treatment time. The most pronounced cytotoxic effect is expressed by CuVanSer and CoVanSer. Various cytopathological changes of both types of cancer cells were observed after treatment with Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes for 72 h at concentrations of 100 and 200 μg ml−1. LSR‐SF‐SR cells were found to be relatively more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of the complexes investigated as compared to HeLa cells.
Assessment of blended biochemistry classes based on massive open online courses and a “semi‐flipped” learning environment
Authors: Ren Guijie , Zeng Jiping , Guan Xianren , Zhuang Peiyue , Zhang Pengju , Liu Zhifang , Tian Keli
Published: August 2022

Flipped classroom based on active learning is becoming an increasingly popular pedagogical method in higher education capable of increasing student performance in higher‐order learning outcomes including application, analysis, evaluation, and creation. However, the success of a flipped classroom model relies on various supporting elements such as the accessibility of technology, and it may not be appropriate for all students and courses. In this study, a new blended biochemistry classroom model based on massive open online courses and a “semi‐flipped” environment was applied to the students enrolled in three majors (stomatology, pharmacy, and preventive medicine) at Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, China. To assess the improvement of the students' perception of self‐cognition in the blended biochemistry classes, surveys were conducted before and after undertaking the biochemistry course. Survey responses and total (final) score for the biochemistry course were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Compared to students who received traditional classroom instruction, students who participated in the blended classroom model achieved higher academic performance (p < 0.01) and reported a significant improvement in their perception of self‐cognition (p < 0.01, or p < 0.05). More than 80% of participants preferred the blended classroom model to that of traditional classroom instruction.
The benefits of green horizontal networks: Lessons learned from sharing charging infrastructure for electric freight vehicles
Authors: Melander Lisa , Wallström Henrik
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates how a group of firms collaborate horizontally to find innovative solutions to be more environmentally friendly by sharing charging infrastructure among themselves. Such collaborations enable a faster transition to electrifying road freight transport. We conduct an embedded case study of firms operating in Stockholm that are exploring the possibility of sharing charging infrastructure for their electric freight vehicles (EFVs). The study reveals four business models for sharing: sharing existing privately owned infrastructure, jointly building new infrastructure, jointly building new infrastructure at a shared customer's site and organizing sharing through a third party. The results show that these sharing models have both economic and environmental benefits, providing new revenue streams, enabling cost sharing, reducing investment costs, increasing utilization and reducing material usage. From a collaborative point of view, the results point to the importance of having multiple actors that form a network to provide large‐scale benefits. Our study reveals that there needs to be both environmental and economic incentives for firms to join horizontal networks characterized by coopetition. Trust between actors is also important in the forming of networks and during collaboration, especially since actors need to continuously share data within the network.
OCR reiterates that process is key to resolving accommodations requests
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: August 2022

The Office for Civil Rights’ widely publicized June 14 Salt Lake Community College determination letter and resolution agreement resolving Section 504 and Title IX complaints arising from a pregnant student's request for severe morning sickness accommodations drives home the importance of process in Section 504 compliance, erecting burdensome obstacles to fundamental alteration determinations.
Path planning for multiple agents in an unknown environment using soft actor critic and curriculum learning
Authors: Sun Libo , Yan Jiahui , Qin Wenhu
Published: August 2022

Path planning can guarantee that agents reach their goals without colliding with obstacles and other agents in an optimal way and it is a very important component in the research of crowd simulation. In this article, we propose a novel path planning approach for multiple agents which combines soft actor critic (SAC) algorithm and curriculum learning to solve the problems of single policy, slow convergence of the policy in an unknown environment with sparse rewards. The path planning task is set as lessons from easy to difficult, and the neural network of the SAC algorithm is arranged to learn in sequence, and finally the neural network can be fully competent for the path planning task. We also stack the state information to address the problems caused by limited observation for policy learning, and design a comprehensive reward function to make agents reach their goals successfully and avoid collisions with static obstacles and other agents. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach can plan smooth and natural paths for multiple agents, and furthermore, our model has a certain generalization ability and a better adaptability to the changes in a dynamic environment.
Laparoscopic diverticulectomy of perforated right‐sided colonic diverticulitis
Authors: Bouzid Ahmed , Kardoun Nizar , Fourati Kais , Amar Mohammed Ben , Boujelbene Salah
Published: August 2022

The perforation of the right‐sided colonic diverticulitis (RSCD) is a rare surgical emergency with highly variable clinical presentations. The preoperative distinction between acute appendicitis and perforated diverticulitis represent a dilemma for surgeon. The laparoscopic repair is a feasible method instead of ileocecectomy in selected cases.
Pillararene‐Based Supramolecular Vesicles for Stimuli‐Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Wang Chen , Li Hang , Dong Jiangtao , Chen Yuxia , Luan Xingkun , Li Xiaona , Du Xuezhong
Published: August 2022

Supramolecular vesicles (SMVs) self‐assembled from the supra‐amphiphiles, consisting of two scaffolds linked together through noncovalent interactions, can realize stimuli‐responsive controlled release of encapsulated drugs for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and minimized side effect of drugs. Pillararenes (PAs), an emerging kind of macrocyclic hosts in 2008, are easy to modify with a variety of functionalities. SMVs from PAs and specific guests mainly based on the host–guest interactions have attracted increasing attention because of their drug delivery and controlled drug release. A great progress in the construction and stimuli‐responsive drug delivery of the PA‐based SMVs has been made since the first work was reported in 2012. This review summarizes the major achievements of the PA‐based SMVs for stimuli‐responsive drug delivery over the past 5 years, including the microstructures of SMVs, multiple stimuli‐responsive SMVs, prodrug SMVs from prodrug PAs and guests, bola‐type SMVs, multifunctional SMVs, glucose‐responsive SMVs for insulin delivery, novel SMVs from responsive PAs, thermo‐responsive SMVs, and ternary SMVs, for chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and other biological applications. The future challenges and research directions of PA‐based SMVs are also outlined from the points of views of the fundamental research, biological applications, and clinical applications of PA‐based SMVs.
Dipole‐Dipole and Anion‐π+ Interaction Manipulation Synergistically Enhance Intrinsic Antibacterial Activities of AIEgens
Authors: Jiang Guoyu , Hu Rong , Li Chunbin , Gong Jianye , Wang Jianguo , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Qin Anjun , Zhong Tang Ben
Published: August 2022

Pathogenic bacteria infections, especially multidrug resistant bacteria infections have aroused worldwide attention due to their severe threats to human beings. Thus, the development of highly effective antibacterial reagents is very important. However, the design of antimicrobials is still quite challenging for the lack of a universal design strategy. Here, a synergistic manipulation strategy of dipole‐dipole and anion‐π+ interaction is proposed for constructing highly efficient antimicrobials with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) feature. Firstly, four anion‐π+‐type AIE luminogens were designed and synthesized. Due to the electron‐donating and hydrophilic characteristic of methoxy groups, 3MOTPO containing three methoxy groups showed the largest dipole moment (5.06 Debye) and dual anion‐π+ interactions in the solid state. Driven by both dipole‐dipole and anion‐π+ interactions, 3MOTPO showed the strongest bacterial binding ability and the best antibacterial activities (MIC90=3.76 μM). The work offers a deep insight into the rational design of highly efficient antimicrobials for luminescence‐guided antibacterial study.
Multiple Ensembles of the Hydrogen‐bonded Network in Ethylammonium Nitrate versus Water from Vibrational Spectral Dynamics of SCN− Probe
Authors: Biswas Aritri , Mallik Bhabani S.
Published: August 2022

We performed classical molecular dynamics simulations to monitor the structural interactions and ultrafast dynamical and spectral response in the protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) and water using the nitrile stretching mode of thiocyanate ion (SCN−) as the vibrational probe. The normalized frequency distribution of the nitrile stretch in SCN− attains an asymmetric shape in EAN, indicating the existence of more than one hydrogen‐bonding environment in EAN. Further, we computed the 2D IR spectrum from classical trajectories, applying the response function formalism. Spectral diffusion dynamics in EAN undergo an initial rattling of the SCN− inside the local ion‐cage occurring at a timescale of 0.10 ps, followed by the breakup of the ion‐cage activating molecular diffusion at 7.86 ps timescale. In contrast, the dynamics of structural reorganization occur at a timescale of 0.58 ps in H2O. Hence, the time dependence of the frequency‐frequency correlation function decay hints at the local molecular structure and ultrafast ion dynamics of the SCN− probe. The loss of frequency correlation read from the peak shape changes in the 2D correlation spectrum as a function of waiting time is faster in H2O than in EAN due to the enhanced structural ordering and higher viscosity of the latter. We provide an atomic‐level interpretation of the solvation environment around SCN− in EAN and water, which indicates multiple ensembles of the hydrogen bond network in EAN.
Interaction energy in the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation in asymmetric complex plasmas
Authors: Martynova Inna A. , Iosilevskiy Igor L.
Published: August 2022

We analyse two‐component electroneutral systems of classical finite‐sized macroions with the charge Z ≫ 1 and point oppositely charged microions with a unit charge. The article deals with a modification of the Debye–Hückel plus hole approximation when nonlinear screening effect is taken into account in asymmetric complex plasmas. We calculate the interaction energy in the Poisson–Boltzmann plus hole approximation considering the interaction of all particles (both inside and outside the hole). This energy has a greater value than some previous results. In addition, we subdivide all hole microions into two types, free microions and bound ones, and show a significant reduction of an effective macroion charge Z* in comparison with its initial charge Z due to the nonlinear screening by a thin high‐concentration bound microions envelope. We demonstrate that this procedure increases the Debye radius that takes the screening by microions and macroions outside the hole into account.
Interactions among solvent, anion acceptor, and supporting electrolyte salt in fluoride shuttle battery electrolyte based on nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Konishi Hiroaki , Takekawa Reiji , Minato Taketoshi , Ogumi Zempachi , Abe Takeshi
Published: August 2022

Fluoride shuttle batteries (FSBs) are promising next‐generation rechargeable batteries. To analyze the detailed local environment in the electrolytes of FSBs, the dynamics of the molecules and ions in an electrolyte, prepared using 2, 4, 6‐trimethoxyboroxine (TMBX)—a liquid‐type anion acceptor, were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance. The results indicated that TMBX could be mixed with the solvent (bis[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl]ether (tetraglyme, G4)); however, it did not interact with G4. In contrast, when cesium fluoride (CsF) was added to TMBX/G4, TMBX interacted with CsF, and a TMBX‐F− ion was formed. TMBX‐F− interacted and cooperatively diffused with G4.
Quantification of greenhouse gas emission from wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Bai Ruolin L. , Jin Lei , Sun Shurui R. , Cheng Yang , Wei Yi
Published: August 2022

In this study, a new quantitative approach of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is established. It is developed based on three categories of WWPTs: (1) energy and chemical consumption; (2) final disposal of biosolids; and direct GHG emission from treatment processes, which is helpful to better estimate the GHG emission pathways. The developed approach can provide actual results of GHG emission in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) from wastewater treatment process. Then, this method is applied to a municipal WWPT, where the GHG emission from the processes of final treatment, biological treatment, and anaerobic digestion, at the southside of Guelph city in Canada. The results show that there are 6743.8 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2 and 1924.48 CO2 eq.kg/day of N2O emissions from aeration tank/activated sludge system. The biological treatment and anaerobic digestion release 74177.58 CO 2eq.kg/day of CH4, 7258.5 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2, and 59022.6 CO2 eq.kg/day of CH4, 3493.24 CO2eq.kg/day of CO2. If the methane, which discharged from biological treatment and anaerobic digestion, is captured and burned for energy regeneration, then it can produce 12937.9 CO2 eq.kg/day of CO2. The total amount of GHG indicates that about 80% GHG is emitted from the final disposal field while 9% and 11% GHG is emitted from biological treatment and anaerobic digestion, respectively. Therefore, based on the calculated results, engineers can put forward suggestions to optimize operation conditions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical trials in hepatitis D virus: Measuring success
Authors: Da Ben L.
Published: August 2022

Chronic hepatitis D infection results in the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis but currently lacks effective treatment options. Therapy with pegylated interferon alpha is recommended for finite treatment duration by major liver societies. Still, it is plagued by low rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and frequent relapses even if SVR is achieved. Recently, a wave of investigational therapies has come under evaluation, including bulevirtide, lonafarnib, pegylated interferon lambda, and REP‐2139 creating excitement with this viral infection. However, there has been significant variability in the endpoints used to evaluate these therapeutics. One of the recently introduced endpoints is characterized by a decline in HDV RNA by 2 logs, with or without achieving an undetectable serum hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA, as a marker of virologic response. Furthermore, this measure has been combined with alanine aminotransferase normalization, also known as a biochemical response, to formulate the primary endpoint of several late‐stage studies. Per recent guidance by the US Food and Drug Administration, these should be surrogate endpoints that will ultimately portend long‐term clinical benefits. These clinical benefits may include reducing the risk of progression to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and mortality. However, the optimal way to measure success in HDV clinical trials remains unknown and will continue to evolve.
Task shifting cesarean sections in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zakhari Andrew , Konci Rea , Nguyen Dong Bach , Amar‐Zifkin Alexandre , Smith Jessica Papillon , Mansour Fady W. , Krishnamurthy Srinivasan
Published: August 2022

Background

Safe and timely access to cesarean section (CS) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) remains a significant challenge.

Objectives

To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes of CS by non‐physician clinicians (NPCs) versus physicians in LMIC.

Search strategy and Selection criteria

A systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), Web of Science, and LILACS was performed from inception to January 2022.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted by two independent reviewers and meta‐analysis was performed when possible.

Main results

Ten studies from seven African countries were included. There was no significant difference in maternal mortality for CS performed by NPCs versus physicians (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–2.14, P = 0.8, I2 = 70%, P < 0.05, eight studies, n = 20 711) or in perinatal mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.86–1.61, P = 0.3, I2 = 88%, n = 19 716). Despite heterogeneous clinical settings between providers, there was no difference in the rates of wound infection or re‐operation, although there was a higher rate of wound complications (such as dehiscence) in the NPC group (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.21–2.95, P = 0.005, n = 6507).

Conclusions

NPCs have comparable maternal and neonatal outcomes for CS compared with standard providers, albeit with increased odds of wound complication.

PROSPERO Registration

CRD42020217966.
Support strategies for pregnant women and their offspring in disaster events
Authors: Guo Chao
Published: August 2022

Synopsis

More efforts should be made to support pregnant women to prevent the long‐term effects of prenatal exposure to disasters on the health of their offspring.
Effect of long noncoding RNA CCAT2 on drug sensitivity to 5‐fluorouracil of breast cancer cells through microRNA‐145 meditated by p53
Authors: Zhang Ziyun , Wang Xuedong , Wang Yueping , Zhou Daoping , Wu Huaiguo , Cheng Wei , Wang Qingping , Zheng Guopei , Wang Ji , Gu Juan
Published: August 2022

The current study was set out to investigate the mechanism by which silenced long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer‐associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) modulates the cell growth, migration, invasion, and drug sensitivity of breast cancer (BC) cells to 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) with the involvement of miR‐145 and p53. First, high CCAT2 expression was presented in BC cells and tissues. Subsequently, the links between CCAT2 expression and BC clinicopathological features were analyzed. Highly‐expressed CCAT2 was linked to lymph node metastasis, positive progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and Ki‐67 of BC cells. Then, the gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approaches were performed to measure the regulatory role of CCAT2 in the biological processes of BC cells. Silencing of CCAT2 suppressed in vitro cell growth, proliferation, invasion, migration abilities, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation, increased cell apoptosis, and enhanced drug sensitivity of BC cells. Silencing of CCAT2 upregulated miR‐145, which was poorly expressed in drug‐resistant BC cells. p53 can bind to the miR‐145 promoter region and increase miR‐145 expression. Upregulation of miR‐145 induced by silencing of CCAT2 can be invalidated by p53‐siRNA. To conclude, p53‐induced activation of miR‐145 could be inhibited by CCAT2, while overexpression of CCAT2 could improve the drug resistance of BC cells to 5‐Fu.
Activation of h‐BN and SiC monolayer sheets through foreign atom substitution; a comparative study based on ab‐initio method
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Rafique Muhammad , Soomro Amir Mahmood , Kumar Mahesh
Published: August 2022

Here, we studied two different 2D monolayer systems (i.e., h‐BN and SiC), which exhibit unique electronic and magnetic properties. We analyzed the effects of Transition Methods (TM) doped atoms (i.e., Mn, Ni, and Sc) on the single vacancy (SV) h‐BN and SiC systems using first principles calculations. Through comparison we found that Mn substitution in SV h‐BN and SiC can modify their electronic and magnetic properties having larger magnetic moment as compared to other dopants (i.e., Ni and Sc.). Band structure and PDOS plots confirmed that TM doping in SV h‐BN can convert the pure h‐BN (insulator) to semiconductor, metal, or semi‐metal, it is also observed from the results that Mn‐doped h‐BN has higher band gap approximately equal to Eg ~ 2.7 eV during the negative spin and has smaller band gap, that is, (Eg ~ 1.1 eV) during the positive spin. Similarly doping with the TM atoms on the SV SiC monolayer system can convert pure SiC to metal or half metal. In addition, Mn‐doped SiC showed semimetal property having 0 eV band gap. These finding will help us to vary the electronic and magnetic properties of the pure h‐BN and SiC sheets which can be used for the opto‐electronic and spintronic applications.
Use of a habituation–dishabituation test to determine canine olfactory sensitivity
Authors: Moser Ariella Y. , Brown Wendy Y. , Bizo Lewis A.
Published: August 2022

The habituation–dishabituation (H–D) paradigm is an established measure of sensory perception in animals. However, it has rarely been applied to canine olfaction. It proposes that animals will lose interest in, or habituate to, a stimulus after successive exposures but will regain interest in, or dishabituate to, a novel stimulus if they can perceive it. This study assessed an H–D test's practicability to determine dogs' olfactory detection thresholds (ODTs) for a neutral odorant. A random selection of mixed‐breed pet dogs (n = 26) participated in two H–D tests in a repeated‐measures crossover design. They were first habituated to a carrier odor and then presented with either ascending concentrations of n‐amyl acetate in the known ODT range (experimental condition) or repeated carrier odor presentations (control condition). No single odor concentration elicited dishabituation in the majority of the dogs. However, individual dogs dishabituated at differing experimental concentrations significantly more often than in the control condition (p = .012). These findings provide some tentative support for using this method in studying canine olfaction. However, further assessment and refinement are needed before it can be a viable alternative to traditional ODT measurement.
Accuracy of reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification in diagnosing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tian Wen , Ren Xingxiang , Gao Xu , Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Zhihai , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2022

Nucleic acid molecular diagnostic technology plays an important role in the detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). However, no relevant reports have been published on the accuracy of reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and reverse‐transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP) in the diagnosis of SFTS. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis and systematic review to evaluate the accuracy of the two methods. On June 19, 2022, we comprehensively searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scoups, Ovid, Proquest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wan Fang Data, Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (Sinomed), VIP Database, and Reading Showing Database for articles on nucleic acid diagnostic techniques, such as RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP, used to diagnose SFTS. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14.0 and Meta‐Disc 1.4. Sixteen articles involving 2942 clinical blood samples were included in the analysis. RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP were used as index tests, whereas RT‐PCR or other detection methods were used as reference standards. The pooled values for the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of the RT‐PCR test were 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92–0.99), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98–1.00), 483.87 (95% CI: 58.04–4033.76), and 0.03 (95% CI:0.01–0.08), respectively. Those for the RT‐LAMP test were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91–0.97), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.93–1.00), 111.18 (95% CI: 13.96–885.27), and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03–0.09), respectively. Both RT‐PCR and RT‐LAMP have high diagnostic value in SFTS and can be applied in different scenarios for laboratory confirmation or on‐site screening.