bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A quantum model for dreaming and its role in imaging
Authors: El-Nabulsi Rami Ahmad , Anukool Waranont , Sepehri Alireza , Fioranelli Massimo , Roccia Maria Grazia , Beesham Aroonkumar , Idris Zamzuri , Flavin Dana , Suardi Nursakinah
Published: May 2023

Each spinor has two states and could store a bit of information. Within a biological system, spinors on the heart cells give information bits to spinors on blood cells. Then, these blood cells move and give these information bits to spinors on the neurons of the brain. Spinors within these structures exchange information through photons with the limited velocity and spinors waves with infinite velocity. The infinite velocity means that when a spin in a pair is reversed, other spin which is placed in a distant point, changes immediately. This difference between the velocities of transferring information by these waves causes to the oscillations of the heart and brain cells and emergence of new quantum electromagnetic fields. These fields and the acceleration of photons and spinors in curved ways of neural systems create the Rindler space-time. In this space-time, there are two regions which time, position and arrow of spinors in each region are different respect to ones in other region. This gives the possibility that spinors store information of different times and positions. During sleeping, these information bits may form points of dream images. For example, when one sees a point in time \(t={t_0}\)and position \(x={x_0}\) at the wake state, its information could be stored in two spinor states in (\(t={t_1}\), \(x={x_1}\)) of region I and (\(t={t_2}\), \(x={x_2}\)) of regions II. During dream, these points are joined and a line is seen. These spinors may form triplet states with other spinors which each state of it could be related to one of main colors: Red, Blue and Green. Thus, a dark point may be converted to a colorful line during dreaming. If a tumor is emerged, states of spinors are changed and a straight line may be converted to a curved line. Thus, dream images could help us in imaging.
Insight Into the Microstructural Properties of Bio-Engineered Concrete Matrices & Analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Rahman Md. Asifur , Zawad Md Fahad Shahriar , Priyom Sudipto Nath , Islam Md. Moinul
Published: May 2023

Cracks under loading and high permeability in marine condition are the most common weakness in concrete. Several researches have been carried out to make durable concrete structure having self-healing ability and less permeability but very few have considered the eco-friendly approach simultaneously. This work involves an attempt to improve the microstructural properties of concrete by injecting Bacillus Cereus a gram-positive calcite precipitating bacteria directly into the concrete mix as microbial culture. 100 mm cubical concrete specimens of two different strength criteria (25 MPa, 35 MPa), with and without microbial culture, were prepared and cured for various curing ages to test and analyze the effect of bacterial culture on concrete properties. An optimum optical culture density of 0.5 ± 0.1 was chosen in this form of study as it yielded maximum output in terms of calcite precipitation. 0:25 and 0:50 were the ratios of plain water to microbial culture for the preparation of bacterial concrete. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) measurement test and Water Absorption Capacity (WAC) test were carried out on the specimens for eight different curing ages. UPV analysis showed that concrete specimens containing higher percentages of microbial culture possess higher pulse velocity than conventional concrete which is the effect of microstructural densification. 40% less permeable concrete genera were found by Water Absorption Capacity test. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the presence of higher mineral calcite precipitation in the microbial concrete microstructure than the conventional concrete. SEM also showed that with the increment of curing periods the CSH gel became well dispersed in the concrete matrix containing microbial culture. Considering all the test results, it can be concluded that the use of Bacillus Cereus microbial culture in concrete mix develops better concrete genera than the conventional one. So, this technique refers to be an eco-friendly approach for developing a durable new generation concrete in the near future.
Detection and characterization of spike architecture based on deep learning and X-ray computed tomography in barley
Authors: Ling Yimin , Zhao Qinlong , Liu Wenxin , Wei Kexu , Bao Runfei , Song Weining , Nie Xiaojun
Published: May 2023

Background
The cereal spike is the main harvested plant organ determining the grain yield and quality, and its dissection provides the basis to estimate yield- and quality-related traits, such as grain number per spike and kernel weight. Phenotypic detection of spike architecture has potential for genetic improvement of yield and quality. However, manual collection and analysis of phenotypic data is laborious, time-consuming, low-throughput and destructive.
Results
We used a barley model to develop a non-invasive, high-throughput approach through combining X-ray computed tomography (CT) and deep learning model (UNet) to phenotype spike architectural traits. We used an optimized 3D image processing methods by point cloud for analyzing internal structure and quantifying morphological traits of barley spikes. The volume and surface area of grains per spike can be determined efficiently, which is hard to be measured manually. The UNet model was trained based on two types of spikes (wheat cultivar D3 and two-row barley variety S17350), and the best model accurately predicted grain characteristics from CT images. The spikes of ten barley varieties were analyzed and classified into three categories, namely wild barley, barley cultivars and barley landraces. The results showed that modern cultivated barley has shorter but thicker grains with larger volume and higher yield compared to wild barley. The X-ray CT reconstruction and phenotype extraction pipeline needed only 5 minutes per spike for imaging and traits extracting.
Conclusions
The combination of X-ray CT scans and a deep learning model could be a useful tool in breeding for high yield in cereal crops, and optimized 3D image processing methods could be valuable means of phenotypic traits calculation.
A survey of research on several problems in the RoboCup3D simulation environment
Authors: Gao Zhongye , Yi Mengjun , Jin Ying , Zhang Hanwen , Hao Yun , Yin Ming , Cai Ziwen , Shen Furao
Published: May 2023

In the process of robot research and development, due to the vulnerability of hardware, simulation environment is often used to verify and test algorithms first. RoboCup3D simulation environment is developed based on open dynamic engine, and the humanoid robot NAO is modeled as the main robot, which provides a simulation platform for humanoid robot researchers to study robot movements. At the same time, it is also the official platform of RoboCup 3D events. Under the rules of soccer robot competition, it is helpful for the research of multi-robots, especially multi-humanoid robots' cooperation strategy. This paper summarizes the related research in RoboCup3D simulation environment, and first introduces the basic problems existing in this simulation environment. Secondly, the research of robot motion generation and optimization based on model and non-model in simulation environment is introduced respectively. Then, it introduces the related research of cooperation strategy design of multi-humanoid robots under RoboCup3D rules, including positioning, dynamic role assignment, etc. And sort out a typical practical solution to the above problems; Finally, the future development trend of related research in RoboCup3D simulation environment is analyzed.
Prediction of Fibrous Adipose Tissue Infiltration in Rectal Cancer Using MRI-Based Radiomics
Authors: Zhang Ran , Tang Yongxiang , Su Zhaoran , Li Shijian , Zhang Jingping
Published: May 2023

Objective To evaluate the value of preoperative prediction of fibrous adipose tissue infiltration around rectal cancer using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) model.
Methods The preoperative MRI images of 75 patients with rectal cancer confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analysed. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups: the fibrous adipose tissue infiltration group (n = 33) and the fibrous adipose tissue noninfiltration group (n = 42). The image group features for T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and arterial phase contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE_T1WI) were extracted. The data were divided into a training group (n = 54) and a verification group (n = 21) at a ratio of 7:3. The training set data were reduced by maximum correlation minimum redundancy (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and feature dimension reduction was used to select the optimal imaging features. Three image group models (T2WI model, CE_T1WI model, and T2WI + CE_T1WI model) were constructed. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate logistic regression analysis, a clinical + T2WI model was constructed, and its predictive efficiency and clinical benefits were evaluated.
Results In total, 851 imaging features were extracted from T2WI and CE_T1WI, and 10 and 14 optimal features were obtained, respectively, which were used to construct the T2WI + CE_T1WI model. In the training group, the areas under the curve (AUCs) for the T2WI model, CE_T1WI model and T2WI + CE_T1WI model for predicting fibrous adipose tissue infiltration around rectal cancer were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.75 ~ 0.95), 0.82 (95% CI: 0.70 ~ 0.91) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71 ~ 0.92), respectively. In the verification group, the AUCs were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.53 ~ 0.92), 0.73 (95% CI: 0.50 ~ 0.90) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.52 ~ 0.92), respectively. For the clinical + T2WI model, the AUC for predicting fibrous adipose tissue infiltration of rectal cancer was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.80 ~ 0.97) in the training group and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.57 ~ 0.94) in the verification group. Decision curve analysis (DCA) suggested that when the threshold was 0:1, the net return of the clinical + T2WI model was higher than that of the T2WI model.
Conclusion The clinical + T2WI model is effective in the preoperative prediction of fibrous adipose tissue infiltration around rectal cancer.
Sendong: Pain, Agony, and Survival
Authors: Eslit Edgar
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explore the experiences of deluge victims in Iligan City following Typhoon Sendong using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants, and the data were analyzed using IPA. The study found that the flood had a significant psychological and emotional impact on the participants, with several key themes and patterns emerging from the IPA analysis. These included the impact on emotional well-being, coping strategies, and patterns of adaptation and adjustment among Iligan City’s Sendong Survivors. The coping strategies employed by the participants highlighted the importance of social support and community engagement in disaster recovery. The patterns of adaptation and adjustment observed among the participants suggest the potential for personal growth and development following a traumatic event. The study has implications for practitioners and policymakers involved in disaster response and recovery, and highlights the need for continued research and support for individuals and communities affected by natural disasters.
Tunable Physical Properties of Starch-Based Hydrogels Synthesized by Freeze-Thaw Technique
Authors: Luthfianti Halida Rahmi , Waresindo William Xaveriano , Rodhiyah Marathur , Edikresnha Dhewa , Noor Fatimah Arofiati , Elfahmi Elfahmi , Khairurrijal Khairurrijal
Published: May 2023

Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) polymer networks that are water-absorbent, insoluble, flexible, and biocompatible. The freeze-thaw technique is a physical cross-linking method for hydrogel synthesis, which can form a stable structure and non-toxic materials. Biopolymer hydrogel is a solution to environmental pollution due to synthetic polymers, which have been widely used as hydrogel base materials. This paper uses starch composite as precursor solutions for the preparation of hydrogels. The precursor solution ratios (potato starch/gelatin) of 20:0, 20:1, 20:2, 20:3, and 0:20 were labeled as SCG1, SCG2, SCG3, SCG4, and SCG5, respectively. Morphological results showed a cross-linking between polymer chains (solid area) and porosity (liquid area). During the freeze-thaw process, gelatin interfered with a cross-linking process of the hydroxyl group so that the solid phase decreased and the pore size was irregular and enlarged. The swelling degree increased with the gelatin composition, while the weight loss showed the opposite result. SCG1 showed the highest swelling degree value of around 319.39 ± 35.05a % and lower weight loss of about 19.26 ± 9.91a %, which showed a higher degradability. SCG1 has good mechanical properties with Young Modulus, onset strain, and onset stress of about 1.4 ± 0.33a KPa, 145.11 ± 47.28b %, and 1.62 ± 0.08c KPa, although the highest compressive strength was shown by SCG5 of 25.63 ± 2.75a KPa. In general, we found that the physical properties of starch hydrogels showed a potential to be used as a functional food matrix: higher swelling degree, modulus elasticity, and degradability. For gelatin hydrogels, it is necessary to modify the process to become a potential matrix as a media delivery.
Probing the structural variations of different tissue cells in Beechwood by X-ray microdiffraction
Authors: Liu Jiliang , Burghammer Manfred
Published: May 2023

Scanning X-ray microdiffraction is applied to determine the structural variations of cellulose microfibrils among the fiber cells, vessel cells and ray cells of Beechwood. A longitudinal section of Beechwood was raster scanned with an X-ray microbeam. This allows to collect diffraction patterns from cell walls of distinct cell types. While the diffraction patterns from fiber cells are dominated by the cellulose signal with a longitudinal orientation, the diffraction patterns from ray and vessel cells show transversal fiber alignment, however to a lower degree of orientation. Moreover, the scattering pattern at small angle region of ray and vessel cells become less pronounced than to fiber cells. These results suggest that the crystalline cellulose of fiber cells has a completely different structure at the meso and molecular level when compared to ray and vessel cellulose within Beechwood.
Clinic appointments and medication adherence among patients accessing mental health services in Central Malawi: A cross-sectional analytical study
Authors: Mekani Paul , Mugomeri Eltony , Mbuba Calorine Kathomi , Mbakaya Balwani Chingatichifwe
Published: May 2023

Background: Individuals who are non-adherent to treatment have higher rates symptom recurrence, higher hospital readmission and poor quality of life.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Nkhoma Mission Hospital, Lilongwe Malawi. Survey approach and total population sampling were used. MARS was used to assess medication adherence.
Results: The prevalence of non-adherence to clinic appointment and medication was 64% (n=58) and 46.2% respectively. Females were 4.7 times more likely to miss clinic appointments than males (B =-1.555, Exp (B)=0.221, p=0.029), clients not married were 15 times more likely not to adhere to clinic appointments (B=2.722, Exp(B)=25.12, p=0.002) and clients who visited a mobile clinic were more likely to miss appointments (B =-1.762, Exp (B)=0.172, p=0.020). Psychotic patients had a higher adherence to medication (B=1.753, t=2.041, p=0.044).
Conclusion:It is important to address factors that influence non-adherence to avoid relapse.
Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis of Research Articles on TCM’s International Spread
Authors: Xin XIONG , Xingyu Song
Published: May 2023

Based on 1185 research articles related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from 2020 to 2023 retrieved from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases, a comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted with the primary aim of exploring the main contributors, research status, hot topics and research frontiers concerning the international spread of TCM against the COVID-19 pandemic through a metrical and visualization analysis. CiteSpace 6.1. R6 software is applied to visualize the publication countries, subjects, authors, institutes, publication sources, keywords and references of the literature and to draw a visual knowledge graph. PRISMA 2020 was used to evaluate the scientificity of this study itself, and the PRISMA 2020 scores generally showed good quality of the systematic review, conforming to 29 out of 37 items, partly in accordance with 2 items of TCM. The statistics of this study show that 81% of articles published are from China, followed by 8.2% from the USA and 5.3% from India. Moreover, the research hotspots of coronavirus in the articles involve molecular docking, sar, systematic review and herbal medicine. Moreover, the principal proposition of translation strategies in TCM’s international spread is the combination of domestication and foreignization to maintain the originality of TCM’s nature and to give consideration to the cognition of audiences. Instead of blindly merging into the Western medicine system, the international spread of TCM ought to broaden its span and to convey the theoretical framework, philosophical thoughts and traditional culture as a whole. In addition, cooperation between research institutes can be further strengthened to deliver an integrated and united research pattern.
Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol Using Copper Nanoparticles on Brassica Oleracea L: Environmental Green Method
Authors: Chang Sajjad Ali
Published: May 2023

Rationale, Nanotechnology is the study of manipulation of material at nanoscale. At nanoscale particles exhibit unique properties like, sensor, catalytic, and antibacterial. Copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were synthesized using Brassica Oleracea L. (Cabbage) extract in the current examination through an ecological green and straightforward method.
Methodology, Synthesis of Cu-NPs optimized with various parameters, for instance,
Results, temperature, time, concentration, and pH. A UV-visible spectrophotometer confirmed the formation of copper nanoparticles. Obtained spectra showed the absorption peak at 550 nm. UV-visible spectrophotometer, Energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to characterize the produced Cu-NPs. SEM results showed the synthesized Cu-NPs have an average size and shape. FTIR results committed the existence of functional groups at different positions. EDX spectra showed the elemental composition of extract and synthesized Cu-NPs. The biosynthesized Cu-NPs is also used as an antibacterial agent against selected pathogens like Escherichia coli, Gram-negative Pseudomonas spp, and Bacillus spp.
Discussion, The biosynthesized Cu-NPs used as a catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol by utilizing sodium borohydride in a liquid solution and showed tremendous results. Results revealed that the Brassica Oleracea L. (cabbage) extract is effective for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles and biosynthesized copper nanoparticles used as an antibacterial agent for Bacillus spp. and a catalyst in the organic transformation of 4-Nitrophenol.
Automatic Authorship Classification for German Lyrics Using Naïve Bayes
Authors: Mendhakar Akshay , Tilmatine Mesian
Published: May 2023

Text classification is a prevalent and essential machine-learning task. Machine learning classifiers have developed immensely since their inception. The naïve Bayes classifier is one of the most prominent supervised machine learning classifiers. In this experiment, we highlight the performance of Naïve Bayes for classifying of authors/artists on the German lyrics corpus (“Songkorpus”) and compare the classification results with other classifier algorithms. The corpus of investigation consists of six artists with 970 songs in total. Bayes model evaluation measures revealed a precision of 0.91, recall of 0.94, and F1-measure of 0.9. Furthermore, the classification performance with other classifier algorithms did not reveal any statistically significant difference in performance. The results of the study add to the high volume of reports on the classification accuracy of Naive Bayes for the task of lyrical classification.
An afrocentric critique of South Africa’s contemporary knowledge production regime
Authors: Shai Kgothatso Brucely
Published: May 2023

The politics of knowledge in the world are as old as the cradle of human civilisation. The stakes of knowledge politics are higher in countries that have a rich history of colonialism, such as South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, among others. In the post-apartheid South Africa, there has been a raging scholarly and policy debate about the dynamics of the knowledge industry within our shores. At the centre of this debate has been the role of statutory institutions, such as ASSAf, NRF, universities and research councils. Despite the expressed legislative framework, the role of these institutions in terms of knowledge generation and development has not been applied in line with this framework by their administrators. The policy makers have not yet seriously held them accountable. The consequence is that these administrators have been largely acting not within the national policy framework. In fact, this discourse has largely assumed the form of a conversation between the deaf. Drawing from the fusion of an alternative Afrocentric perspective and interdisciplinary discourse analysis in its broadest form, this paper argues that statutory institutions have an important national role to play in the knowledge industry. But their activities are not above board. If left operating the way they do, their wrong activities have a potential to undermine declared policy measures to the pursuit of true and quality knowledge.
The evaluation of public policy implementation failures and possible solutions
Authors: Selepe Mocheudi Martinus
Published: May 2023

The study examines the root causes of Public Policy implementation failures. It further explores the mechanisms that will ensure successful policy implementation within the public sector. The main objective of the study is to establish and identify the factors that impede the successful implementation of government policies and to identify possible solutions to successfully formulate and implement public policies. The study adopted a conceptual approach relying heavily on secondary data. It is understandable, that the government‘s national and local spheres should want to downplay policy failure and trumpet apparent success, but to do so risks losing an understanding of why failure is so common and how it might be eradicated or at least minimised. The study examines the robust policy design mechanisms. The study seeks to identify significant policy risks and challenges. The study examines the root causes of Public Policy implementation failures. It further explores the mechanisms that will ensure successful policy implementation within the public sector. The main objective of the study is to establish and identify the factors that impede the successful implementation of government policies and to identify possible solutions to successfully formulate and implement public policies. The study adopted a conceptual approach relying heavily on secondary data. It is understandable that the government‘s national and local spheres should want to downplay policy failure and trumpet apparent success, but to do so risks losing an understanding of why failure is so common and how it might be eradicated or at least minimised. The study examines robust policy design mechanisms. The study seeks to identify significant policy risks and challenges. It is evident, that there is an increasing awareness that policies fail on their own merits; rather their progress is dependent upon the process of implementation. To better comprehend how to refine policy support it is first instructive to appreciate the nature of policy failure, logically the reasons why things go wrong should assist to guide the search for possible solutions. Successful policy implementation consists of four determinants, which are policy design, stakeholders, and their involvement, institution, and context as well as the implementation strategy. It is very important to consider these four aspects when executing public policy because this will alleviate policy implantation failures. The study concludes with the mechanisms and solutions of successful policy implementation.
Concepciones de lo terapéutico: teatro playback y teatro espontáneo desde una mirada psicológica
Authors: Rojas Cardona Valheria
Published: May 2023

A través del tiempo se le han atribuido múltiples características al teatro: permitir al ser humano observar al otro, interactuar con él, reconocerse como participante de un espacio, entre otras; esto, debido a que es una herramienta que tiene la potencialidad de ser utilizada en procesos lúdicos y de intervención, teniendo como finalidad el logro de la transformación social. El objetivo del presente artículo es reflexionar sobre el uso del teatro como herramienta terapéutica, desde el teatro espontáneo y playback, como medios de intervención grupal y psicosocial, a través de una lectura psicológica. Lo anterior, implicó reconocer autores referentes para la fundamentación de la utilización del teatro en diferentes ámbitos sociales y algunos escenarios y problemáticas para las que se ha empleado. Para esto, se realizó una revisión documental sobre experiencias donde ha sido utilizado el teatro como instrumento terapéutico y se establecieron relaciones entre algunos conceptos metodológicos y epistemológicos en los que se fundamentan estas intervenciones con las finalidades de la intervención psicológica.
Normalización de la violencia machista en México: cómo la perciben las mujeres y qué factores intervienen
Authors: Olivera-Villarroel Sazcha Marcelo , Rojas López María Guadalupe
Published: May 2023

Resumen: La educación significa un aliado en el afrontamiento y apreciación de la violencia contra las mujeres, dado lo anterior, se llevó a cabo un estudio de tipo exploratorio en mujeres entre 18 y 50 años con diferente escolaridad y con el objetivo de conocer, si el nivel educativo influye y cómo en la normalización de la violencia. Los resultados encontrados muestran, que las mujeres con una mayor escolaridad tienden a incrementar su percepción de la violencia, respecto a aquellas mujeres con un menor nivel educativo. Asimismo, se mostró que cuando un hombre es colaborador en el hogar, es percibido con una menor probabilidad de ser violento. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que aquellas mujeres con un menor nivel educativo, tienden a normalizar los hechos violentos que experimentan y, por tanto, suelen percibirla en un menor grado, la normalizan y la consideran un hecho inherente a su género.
Familia y Escuela. Perspectivas transformacionales en el acompañamiento afectivo y sexual
Authors: Castrillón Rojas Luisa Fernanda , Valderrama Echeverri Luisa Fernanda , Alean Hernández Pahola
Published: May 2023

Familia y escuela son las instituciones primarias de la sociedad, que convergen en la construcción de las bases del carácter y las pautas de comportamiento; por ello, es allí donde se espera que inicien los acompañamientos al desarrollo afectivo-sexual, mediante el reconocimiento del derecho a la libertad y la autonomía de los niños, niñas y adolescentes. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar cómo se han transformado las perspectivas sobre el acompañamiento afectivo-sexual de la familia y la escuela. Se llevó a cabo una revisión documental de textos académicos que tratan a la familia y la escuela como escenarios de formación afectivo-sexual. Se encontró que las perspectivas del acompañamiento afectivo-sexual son muy diversas, en ocasiones se aborda con fines informativos y, otras, como un elemento importante para la formación de seres sociales. Se concluyó que familia y escuela son aptas para ofrecer acompañamiento afectivo-sexual, por lo cual es importante que su labor sea colaborativa, y en pro de la libertad y autonomía de los niños, niñas y adolescentes.
Vínculos construidos. Relación entre familia y escuela: Una propuesta reflexiva desde la educación y la psicología
Authors: Posada Calderón Sebastián , Hernández Agudelo Jesdy Manuela
Published: May 2023

La participación de docentes y padres de familia en la acción educativa está por encima de una función de decisión; es una tarea que siempre ha estado sujeta a la presencia de niños, niñas y adolescentes, como una puerta de enlace que es crucial para dar sentido a las conexiones o indirectas que habitan el espacio de vinculación. La relación vincular familia-escuela puede construir nuevos significados, de los que emergen lazos más fuertes, a través del sentido de corresponsabilidad de instituciones que se integran bajo la participación continuada en el acto pedagógico, pues el vínculo está atado a la calidad de las acciones participativas diseñadas para el desarrollo psicosocial y del sujeto.
Salud mental, Condiciones psicosociales y resistencias de la juventud de Medellín durante la pandemia y la cuarentena del Covid- 19
Authors: López Garcia Manuel , Manco Quintero Solangie
Published: May 2023

El artículo presenta los hallazgos de una investigación que tuvo como objetivo analizar las condiciones psicosociales y maneras de resistencia que la juventud de la ciudad de Medellín Colombia tuvo frente a la pandemia por el Covid-19 durante el año 2020. Desde el enfoque de la investigación cualitativa se implementó un grupo focal como estrategia de recolección de información. La información levantada fue analizada y decantada en grupos de sentido que dieran respuesta a las preguntas realizadas. El desempleo, la deserción escolar y el estrés psicosocial aparecen como situaciones que afrontan con actitudes pasivas, de resistencia o evitación. Diferentes formas de resistencia activa y creativa emergen como alternativas espontáneamente construidas por esta población.
Features of the treatment of arterial hypertension in elderly patients
Authors: Leonova M. V.
Published: May 2023

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common problems in the elderly and one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. AH in the elderly has features with a high incidence of ISAH and is characterized by a high level of SBP and a low level of DBP, which creates certain problems for the safety of treatment. The need for antihypertensive therapy in elderly patients has received convincing evidence of the effectiveness of reducing mortality and cardiovascular complications. The purpose of this scientific review was to raise awareness of the problem of treating hypertension in elderly patients, including those with low DBP. The results of studies and meta-analyzes evaluating the efficacy and safety of standard and intensive SBP reduction in elderly patients, as well as the results of the effect of antihypertensive therapy on DBP levels, especially at baseline low DBP (<70 mmHg), are presented. The studies identified the main groups of antihypertensive drugs that provide an effective and safe reduction in blood pressure in elderly patients, have a cardioprotective effect and do not adversely affect comorbidities. These include: diuretics of the thiazide-like group, calcium channel blockers, as well as additional indications and concomitant conditions – ACE inhibitors and antigotensin II receptor blockers. Several meta-analyses have shown the  benefit of  intensively lowering SBP < 120 mmHg before the standard target level SBP < 140 mmHg. in elderly patients as a lower risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and overall mortality. Thus, the impact of intensive SBP reduction was beneficial in preventing 1 case of MACE (NNT = 38) and in preventing 1 case of total mortality (NNT = 85); while the rate of harm in the form of arterial hypotension was significantly high (NNH = 778). With regard to the effect on the level of DBP in elderly patients with hypertension or ISAH, an inverse relationship between DBP and adverse coronary events was revealed and a J-curve was described, confirmed in a number of studies (INVEST, ARIC, SPRINT). Moreover, with an initially low DBP (<70 mmHg), a significant increase in the frequency of outcomes and the relative risk of outcomes was noted. It is not easy to decide on antihypertensive therapy in such situations. The evidence base of studies suggests the benefit of lowering SBP for the prevention of cardiovascular events in elderly patients, but with caution and individual approach. It is important to take into account individual patient characteristics such as cognition, autonomy, and frailty/frailty when setting target BP.
Respiratory virus concentrations in human excretions that contribute to wastewater: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lowry Sarah A. , Wolfe Marlene K. , Boehm Alexandria B.
Published: May 2023

Concentrations of nucleic acids from a range of respiratory viruses in wastewater solids collected from wastewater treatment plants correlate to clinical data on disease occurrence in the community contributing to the wastewater. Viral nucleic acids enter wastewater from excretions deposited in toilets or drains. To relate measured concentrations in wastewater at a treatment plant to the number of community infections, viral nucleic-acid concentrations in human excretions are needed as inputs to a mass balance model. Here, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the concentrations and presence of influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, and seasonal coronaviruses in stool, urine, mucus, sputum, and saliva. We identified 220 data sets from 50 articles and reported viral concentrations and presence in these excretions. Data were unevenly distributed across virus type (with the most available for influenza) and excretion type (with the most available for respiratory excretions). Most articles only reported the presence or absence of the virus in a cross-sectional study design. There is a need for more concentration data, including longitudinal data, across all respiratory virus and excretion types. Such data would allow quantitatively linking virus wastewater concentrations to numbers of infected individuals.
Radiotherapy-associated Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Pediatric
Oncology Patients
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Ammar , Ahmad Hassaan , Malik Hamza Sultan , Uinarni Herlina , Karim Yasir Salam , Akhmedov Yusuf Makhmudovich , Abdelbasset Walid Kamal , Awadh Sura A. , Abid Mohammed Kadhem , Mustafa Yasser Fakri , Farhood Bagher , Sahebkar Amirhosein
Published: May 2023

:

During the radiotherapeutic treatment of pediatric oncology patients, they
would be at a latent risk of developing ionizing radiation-induced ototoxicity when the
cochlea or auditory nerve is located within the radiation field. Sensorineural hearing loss
(SNHL) is an irreversible late complication of radiotherapy, and its incidence depends on
various factors such as the patient’s hearing sensitivity, total radiation dose to the cochlea,
radiotherapy fractionation regimen, age and chemoradiation. Importantly, this complication
exhibits serious challenges to adult survivors of childhood cancer, as it has been
linked to impairments in academic achievement, psychosocial development, independent
living skills, and employment in the survivor population. Therefore, early detection and
proper management can alleviate academic, speech, language, social, and psychological
morbidity arising from hearing deficits. In the present review, we have addressed issues
such as underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced SNHL, audiometric findings of pediatric
cancer patients treated with radiotherapy, and management and protection measures
against radiation-induced ototoxicity.
Redox-responsive Nanomicelles with Intracellular Targeting and Programmable
Drug Release for Targeted Tumor Therapy
Authors: Yang Yaxin , Shi Wei , Zhang Ziyi , Gong Fawu , Feng Xuman , Guo Chenxi , Qi Yajuan , Liu Zhanjun
Published: May 2023

Introduction:

Anti-inflammatory medications, in particular aspirin, have chemopreventive
and anticancer adjuvant effects on specific types of cancers, according to ongoing anti-tumor research.
Additionally, efforts have been made to transform Poly(salicylic acid) (PSA) into delivery-related
nanocarriers. to transport anticancer medications into nanocarriers. However, tumor cell targeting and
tumor selectivity were lacking in the salicylic acid polymer-based nanocarriers, preventing them from
performing to their full potential.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to prepare targeting and reduction-responsive poly pre-drug
nanocarriers (HA-ss-PSA NPs) and to investigate the feasibility of delivering adriamycin (DOX) as
nanocarriers.

Method:

The structures of the polymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen
spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR); the encapsulation rate and drug loading of
DOX-loaded nanoparticles were determined by HPLC; and the anti-tumor effects of the carriers were
evaluated by MTT experiments and in vivo experiments.

Results:

The prepared nanocarriers had uniform particle size distribution. The drug release rate was up to
80% within 48 h in the tumor environment. DOX/HA-ss-PSA NPs showed significant cytostatic effects. In
addition, HA-ss-PSA NPs showed significant targeting and inhibition of cell migration in cell uptake and
scratch assays. In vivo experiments showed that the prepared carriers had high tumor inhibition rates, good
targeting effects on the liver and tumor, and significantly reduced toxicity to other tissues.

Conclusion:

The prepared HA-ss-PSA NPs could effectively inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells and
tumors in vivo, indicating that PSA could be used as a backbone component of a safe and reliable drug
delivery system, providing a new strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.
A Segmentation Method of Serialized Human Body Slices based on Matting
Strategy and Skeleton Extraction
Authors: Liu Bin , Wu Zhengyang , Wang Chenlu , Pang Shiyu , Pei Jingzhu , Zhang Jianxin , Yang Liang
Published: May 2023

Introduction::

In this paper, a semiautomatic image segmentation method for the serialized body slices of the Visible Human Project (VHP) is proposed.

Methods:

In our method, we first verified the effectiveness of the shared matting method for the VHP slices and utilized it to segment a single image. Then, to meet the need for the automatic segmentation of serialized slice images, a method based on the parallel refinement method and flood-fill method was designed. The ROI (region of interest) image of the next slice can be extracted by using the skeleton image of the ROI in the current slice.

Results:

Utilizing this strategy, the color slice images of the Visible Human body can be continuously and serially segmented. This method is not complex but is rapid and automatic with less manual participation.

Conclusion:

The experimental results show that the primary organs of the Visible Human body can be accurately extracted.
Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Local Herbalists and Traditional Healers for the Treatment of Cancer in Jordan
Authors: Tabaza Yahia , Aburjai Talal
Published: May 2023

Background:

As many Jordanians include herbs in their treatment, an ethnopharmacological survey was conducted to identify the most prescribed plants for the treatment of cancer by local herbalists and traditional healers in Jordan, aiming to encourage the prescription that is based on scientific evidence, to tackle some important practices in traditional healing, and to provide candidates for the isolation of new anticancer agents.

Methods:

Thirty-two Jordanian herbalists and traditional healers were interviewed. Both the use value and frequency of citation were implemented as quantitative methods to demonstrate the relative importance of a chosen species for the treatment of cancer. Furthermore, literature was screened for evidences that supported or opposed the use of the plants of interest

Results:

It was revealed that 31 plants are currently used in Jordan for the treatment of cancer, with Curcuma longa and Ephedra foeminea being the most used ones.

Conclusions:

It was noticed that the use of many prescribed plants could be rationalised by in vitro and/or in vivo studies. However, more attention should be paid by practitioners to some important aspects, such as the method of use and preparation of plants, their interaction with chemotherapeutic agents and the differences in their efficacy against different cancer types.
Immunomodulators: Chemistry and Analytical Techniques
Authors: Sendrayakannan Akalya , Kharkar Prashant S.
Published: May 2023

Immunomodulators are substances that either enhance or suppress the
immunity of the host. Immunomodulators have been used for ages in Ayurvedic
Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the surge of modern medicine, many
chemically derived substances are used as immunomodulators. Historically, plants
present a rich source of these therapeutic agents. Researchers have used these lead
structures for exploring the underlying mechanisms of immunomodulation so that
newer, safer agents can be designed and used clinically. Microbial sources have also
been tried in search of immunomodulators. Chemically, these are a diverse group of
substances that act on varied signaling pathways to cause immunomodulation. The
involvement of the immune system in many diseases and disorders makes these agents
essential in the treatment of these diseases, e.g., cancer. This chapter discusses the
chemistry of a selected few commonly known plant-derived immunomodulators along
with their biological evaluation methods and provides a broad overview of their
therapeutic potential with particular emphasis on the mechanism of
immunomodulation.
Natural Immunomodulators in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Shevkar Chaitrali , Kate Abhijeet S.
Published: May 2023

Cancer is a complex disease, ranking among the top causes of mortality
worldwide. There are numerous therapies available however, they are showing limited
success in a complete cure. The advanced treatment regime includes immunotherapy
that improves the body's natural defences. The approved immunotherapies are
imiquimod (Zyclara®
), lenalidomide (Revlimid®
) pomalidomide (Pomalyst®
), and
thalidomide (Thalomid®
). However, these therapies have severe side effects like
nausea, high blood pressure, blood clot, severe allergies, etc. Hence, natural products
with immunomodulatory properties are being widely used as adjuvant therapy in cancer
treatment. Plant secondary metabolites, such as curcumin, resveratrol, zerumbone,
quercetin, genistein and betulinic acid, which are used as a member of the cancer
medications and possess immunomodulatory potential, have been described in this
chapter. We have discussed the mode of action, in vitro, in vivo, formulation studies
and plant source of these natural immunomodulators. This chapter also discusses the
current state of these pure compounds in context to their development as anticancer
treatments in the future. 
Natural Immunomodulators for Infections and Other Diseases
Authors: Liyakath Ali Aaliya , Nailwal Namrata , Sawarkar Sujata , Doshi Gaurav
Published: May 2023

Infection is one of the most common occurring issues in an individual.
Diseases caused by infections hamper the immune system of an individual. To
modulate the immune system, immunomodulatory drugs work by either stimulating or
suppressing the immune system. Several drugs like levamisole and azathioprine are
available in the market today to overcome various infections. But an alternative is
required to overcome the drug resistance and other side effects associated with these
available drugs. To tackle these problems, many plant-based immunomodulators are
being explored and have proven to be beneficial against these infections. This chapter
focuses on the mechanism of action and application of natural immunomodulators like
Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Genistein on various infections. The primary goal of this
chapter is to understand the role of natural immunomodulators in the body for various
infections and related disease conditions. With the help of findings, one can conclude
that all-natural immunomodulators have areas that need attention, including their
therapeutic risk-benefit ratio and their target binding affinity for various infections.
However, further investigations into these drugs are necessary for a clear understanding
to maximize their clinical applications 
Marketing Strategy & Regulatory Perspective for Natural Immunomodulators
Authors: Ansari Alveera , Nailwal Namrata , Sawarkar Sujata , Doshi Gaurav
Published: May 2023

Many natural products, such as Azardicaindica, Curcuma longa, and
Ocimumsanctum, are often used as immunomodulators. The increased prevalence of
chronic diseases, along with the negative effects of synthetic immunomodulators, has
resulted in the establishment of a global natural immunomodulator market. For
researchers, complementary and alternative medicine provides a new target for drug
discovery approaches and medication development. Ayurveda, Homeopathy,
Naturopathy, and the Chinese medicine system are examples of complementary and
alternative medicine approaches. Phytoconstituents with therapeutic action are included
in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) categories of natural goods. In
Europe, natural immunomodulators are considered food supplements, while in the
United States, they are utilized as dietary supplements. In India, it is controlled by the
Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). With the help of the literature findings, we understand that even natural
phytoconstituents also require and must undergo well-defined regulatory approval
processes to launch in the market. But the regulation slightly differs as per the country
and region. With the help of all the findings, one can conclude that the regulation of
natural immunomodulators is equally important to set its marketing strategies as well
as for its post-marketing surveillance as compared to the synthetic molecules. With this
objective, the primary goal of this chapter is to draw more attention to the regulatory
aspects of natural immunomodulators by comprehending the information on natural
immunomodulator marketing strategy as well as the legislation that governs it.
Natural vs. Synthetic Immunomodulators
Authors: Mahajan Girish B , Balachandran Lakshmi
Published: May 2023

Immunomodulators are key components in deciding immunity status and development in an individual. The topic has been under more emphasis, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic phase. Several plants with medicinal potentials are appreciated in traditional medicines for their healing perspective and have been technically examined for their immunomodulation potential. A number of plant-based bioactive compounds have been extracted and purified with such bioactivities that can rationalise their usage in conventional medication in the past and can stimulate further research in the future as well. Synthetic immunomodulators are significant for generating remedial or prophylactic formulations with defined chemical ingredients from regulatory perspectives. The review highlights the key immunomodulators, both synthetic and natural, until 2020. It also emphasises on market potential and commercial aspects of these. We have explained and listed several plants and their active scaffolds having immunomodulation activities along with synthetic compounds with similar bioactivity. We envisage the review to be an organised compilation and comparison of natural and synthetic immunomodulators and also focus on new chemical immunomodulator scaffolds.