bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ukraine Crisis and Climate and Environment Commitments
Authors: Avis William
Published: May 2022

This rapid literature review collates available literature on the impact of the Ukraine crisis on international climate and environment commitments and considerations. The review draws on a range of sources predominantly blogs, opinion pieces and snap analyses. Given the nature of the conflict, its myriad impacts and uncertain end point, this report should be reviewed with a degree of caution. As the analysis draws heavily on opinion pieces and snap analyses, these will likely be outdated relatively quickly, and some assumptions shown to be flawed. Similarly, as events evolve, some analysis will become redundant. The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on international climate and environment commitments and considerations will be complex and multifaceted and likely to evolve over time, key themes emerging in this report are as follows: Strategic cooperation or competition of states towards climate-related goals has long been anticipated to drive global political developments in the coming century. The nature of these volatile relationships has a determining factor on the scale, speed and final form of the transition to net zero, impacting politically, environmentally and economically. Climate change is not an isolated area of strategic concern; rather it should be understood as a pervasive condition with implications for most other areas of interstate competition and cooperation, from global trade to regulatory standards. In this sense, actors have climate-related incentives and imperatives to either cooperate or compete according to specific issue areas such as the economy or national security.
Key Considerations: Tackling Structural Discrimination and COVID-19 Vaccine Barriers for Roma Communities in Italy
Authors: Sarafian Iliana
Published: May 2022

This brief highlights how structural discrimination and social exclusion shape attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines among Roma communities in Italy, and the role trusted communal and public authorities can play in supporting vaccine uptake and tackling broader exclusions. Contradictions in the Italian state’s response to COVID-19, alongside ongoing forms of exclusion can increase Roma mistrust in state initiatives and prevent vaccine participation. This brief aims to aid and inform local government and public health authorities in Italy that serve populations inclusive of Roma communities. This brief is based on research conducted in-person and remotely from November 2021 to January 2022 with Roma and Sinti communities in Milan, Rome and Catania, Italy, which have distinct historical, linguistic, geographical, religious, and other forms of identification. Similarities in how the different Roma communities experience the COVID-19 pandemic, and in their vaccine decisions were identified. This brief was developed for SSHAP by Iliana Sarafian (LSE) with contributions and reviews from Elizabeth Storer (LSE), Tabitha Hrynick (IDS), Dr Marco Solimene (University of Iceland) and Dijana Pavlovic (Upre Roma). The research was funded through the British Academy COVID-19 Recovery: G7 Fund (COVG7210058). Research was based at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics. The brief is the responsibility of SSHAP.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI 2) examination in patients with benzodiazepine addiction in Yogyakarta
Authors: Ismanto Silas Henry , Supriyanto Irwan
Published: May 2022

Addiction is a major health problem in Indonesia. The prevalence and pattern of drugsaddiction shifted according to changes in personality, stressors, or increasing responsibilityas people grow. Individual personality will affect their tendency to develop drug addiction.Benzodiazepines abuse has steadily increased. Unlike other type drugs of abuse, thecharacteristics of benzodiazepine abusers are greatly varied. Therefore, the personalitytraits and social economic factors involved in the benzodiazepine addiction are unique.In this study we evaluated the personality traits of patient with benzodiazepine addictionin Yogyakarta using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) 2 test. Thisstudy was a descriptive analytic study with a cross sectional design. Subjects were 39benzodiazepine addicts obtained from private psychiatrist practices in Yogyakarta. Theinstruments used were questionnaire for personal information and MMPI 2. Statisticalanalysis was conducted with SPSS ver. 17 and significance level was defined at p<0.05.MMPI 2 test revealed a low total mental capacity index and a low basic personality index(OCEAN: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism).The clinical profiles examination showed profile of somatic symptoms due to psychologicaldisturbances, clinical symptoms of overt suspiciousness, overt negative emotionality,clinical symptoms of depression, symptoms of psychopathic behaviours (antisocial),emotional difficulty in interpersonal relationship, clinical symptoms related to overtemotion, and weird and bizarre psychological experiences. There are certain personalityvariables that may be important predictors for benzodiazepine addiction identified in thisstudy.
Development of a SYBR Green real-time PCR-based assay system for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Yasmon Andi , Febriani Rela , Utami Louisa Ivana , Fithriyah Fithriyah , Rosana Yeva , Ibrahim Fera , Sudarmono Pratiwi
Published: May 2022

Diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is needed for patient therapy and for reducing this bacterial transmission in the population. The culture method is a gold standard method for N. gonorrhoeae detection, however it has low sensitivity. Among molecular methods with high sensitivity and specificity, SYBR Green real-time PCR is the potential method for N. gonorrhoeae detection. In this study, we developed an SYBR Green real-time PCR-based system assay for N. gonorrhoeae detection. Several PCR conditions were optimized and analyzed including primer annealing temperature, DNA template volume, the limit of detection (LoD), cross-reaction with others (bacteria, viruses, fungus, protozoa), and quality assurance. The results showed that the annealing temperature and DNA template volume were 60oC and 5 µL, respectively. The LoD was 29 DNA copies corresponding to 3 bacterial cells per reaction. No cross-reaction was detected for other bacteria, viruses, fungus and protozoa. The external quality assurances enrolled in 2019 and 2021 showed 100% concordance. The preliminary testing for clinical samples was also 100% concordance. In conclusion, the SYBR Green real-time PCR-based system assay developed in this study is promising for application in clinical laboratories.
Analysis of systemic risk factors of occipital stroke-related vision loss
Authors: Mahayana Indra Tri , Tedjonegoro Nyssa Alexandra , Gani Tatang Talka
Published: May 2022

Occipital stroke is associated with visual field defects and other visual perceptual deficits that might lead to detrimental effects on health-related quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the possible association between systemic risk factors and the features of occipital stroke. It was a retrospective observational study involving patients diagnosed with occipital stroke in Dr. Yap Eye Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between 2013 and 2014. A total of 72 patients with occipital stroke proven with CT/MRI who underwent detailed evaluation of ocular and systemic risk factors were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups with or without risk factors. The risk factors were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac diseases. The effect of risk factors on sex, age groups (≤40, >40 and ≤60, >60 y.o.), stroke lesions (left occipital, right occipital, bilateral), and visual field defects (homonymous hemianopia, homonymous quadrantanopia, and others) were analyzed. Out of 72 patients, there were 56 males (77.8 %), and 16 females (22.2 %), with a mean age of 58.46 ± 11.83 y.o. The study found there was a significant difference in age with risk factors compared with those without risk factors (p = 0.025), as well as visual acuity with age groups (p = 0.005) and stroke lesions (p = 0.024). Analysis of risk factors showed that hypertension was significantly correlated with stroke lesions, whereas cardiac disease was significantly associated with age groups (p<0.05). Predictive analysis was performed using a linear regression model, and it showed that risk factors could predict the occurrence of stroke lesions. In conclusion, patients’ systemic risk factors are significantly associated with the older onset of occipital stroke and lower visual acuity, although not significantly associated with stroke location and visual field defect characteristics.
Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Childhood Trauma are Associated with Alcohol Use Severity: A Comparison with Healthy Volunteers
Authors: GÜRGEN Atila , ÖYEKÇİN Demet Güleç , DENİZ ÖZTURAN Deniz
Published: May 2022

Objective: Emotion regulation difficulties and the effect of childhood traumas on the etiology of alcohol use disorder are an important topic in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate patients with alcohol use disorder in terms of emotional control and childhood trauma and the difficulty in trauma and emotion regulation as a risk factor. Methods: In this study, 37 patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 37 healthy volunteers were included. The participants were assessed with a 35-item sociodemographic data form, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ-C), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). All participants were interviewed based on DSM-5. Results: Participants with AUD had more difficulty in regulating emotions in all areas. clarity, awareness, impulse, nonacceptance, objectives, and strategies were deteriorated (p < 0.05). Patients with AUD had more childhood traumas. All trauma types, especially physical neglect and emotional abuse were more common in participants with AUD. Assessment of the traumas and emotion regulation revealed that emotional abuse increased the risk of AUD by 1.6 times (95% CI 1.025–2.801) and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies are linked to addiction severity.Conclusion: The maladaptive emotional strategies of patients with AUD were worse than those of healthy volunteers. Patients with AUD experienced more childhood traumas. Particularly, emotional abuse increased the risk of AUD. As a result, childhood traumas were more severe in patients with AUD, and they adversely affected emotion regulation strategies and increased addiction severity.
Improving Awareness about Patient Blood Management in Portugal: A Call for Action Arising from a Delphi Panel
Authors: Robalo Nunes António , Brilhante Dialina , Macedo Ana , Beato Vera , Gomes Diana , Gonçalves-Aguiar José , Lima Fátima , Mairos João , Melo-Lencastre Teresa
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Anaemia and iron deficiency are associated with increased mortality and poor surgical outcomes. Consensus in their definitions is expected to optimize their management, which is encompassed by patient blood management, providing patient-centred care while improving patient safety and clinical outcomes. Patient blood management implementation is even more relevant in contingency times and faces barriers due to lack of standardization, among others. The aim is to establish a consensus on these diagnoses and implement patient blood management principles in clinical practice in Portugal.Material and Methods: Eight experts in Transfusion Medicine, Haematology, Anaesthesiology, Internal Medicine, and Obstetrics/Gynaecology were assembled; a focus group was conducted, defining 33 statements. A Delphi panel was conducted, with experts from the clinical specialities named above as well as from General Surgery, Urology, and Orthopaedics.Results: The Delphi panel’s rounds had 70 (Round 1) and 46 (Round 2) respondents. Specialists were consensual in only two statements, on the existence of a preoperative patient blood management consultation for candidates to elective surgeries in which the use of blood derivatives is anticipated and, on the importance of the correction of postoperative anaemia and iron deficiency. Of the remaining 31 statements, 27 reached high agreement or disagreement by the respondents.Conclusion: Consensus was reached in only two (6%) of the 33 statements. There was a consensual agreement on the relevance of establishing patient blood management as the standard of care and of valuing preoperative and postoperative patient blood management interventions. Nevertheless, our results point to the lack of awareness regarding patient blood management principles – which could result in better postoperative outcomes, shorter hospitalizations, reduced costs and increased availability of beds. Training and literacy initiatives could help further implement patient blood management standards in Portuguese hospitals.
Fostering Motivation and Adopting Learner-centred Teaching Strategy Through EFL Literature Circles- the case of a tertiary level, Algeria
Authors: Tayeb Bouazid
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis paper examines and reports on an EFL literature course design and instruction. The researcher believed that EFL Literature Circles instruction in practice is an issue worthy of concern. A new teaching plan was designed to motivate students in practising reading literary texts and implementing activities. The plan consisted of assigning learners with various reading activities to literary genres that were done in groups and presented in the classroom. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this study. Based on the data obtained from classroom observations, students’ classroom presentations, focus group interview; students’ response to a questionnaire and a post-questionnaire of (30 students), the researcher found out that students developed a fairly high degree of motivation towards practising literary reading. The results of the study also indicated that the students were motivated; the course was conducive to students’ language awareness and acquisition and contributed to students’ literary growth. Learning literature through literature circles gave more freedom to learners to take risks, learn by themselves and profit from their mates without resorting to teachers in most cases. (184 words)
The Use of Telegram Based E-learning for English Language Learning during The Covid 19 Pandemic
Authors: Syifa Qorina Aulia
Published: May 2022

During this Covid-19 pandemic, technology is widely used, including in the world of education. All schools in the world are forced to use E-learning as their teaching. With the media, it will make learning easier during this pandemic. Researchers use the Tiktok application as a learning medium to find out how students and teachers perceive the use of Telegram with Telegram BOT in learning English. The use of telegram BOT certainly makes it easy for students to receive material and the teacher is easy to develop material in the form of video and audio with a longer duration. In this study, the researcher used a qualitative method. The researcher uses descriptive qualitative research to analyze the data, there are four activities to analyze: data reduction, word presentation and conclusion drawing. Researchers took samples from 2 students of class VII SMP IT INSAN HARAPAN. The results showed that using telegram bots made it easier for students to learn English material delivered by the teacher.
CODE GLOSSES OF METADISCOURSE IN STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PRESENTATION
Authors: Mazidah Eva Nur
Published: May 2022

Academic presentation is one of obligatory task for university students. As they present their academic presentation, composing and organizing their ideas are necessary to make their audience understand what they present. Code glosses as a part of metadiscourse function ‘to signal the restatement of ideational information’ (Hyland, 2005). Nineteen presenters delivered their academic presentation. Their presentations were then transcribed to analyze code glosses applied by the presenters when delivering their academic presentation. These markers are applied to elaborate, modify, define, exemplify or rephrase an intended idea or a concept to readers. The results show that there are 214 markers found indicating that students apply the markers to better modify or elaborate their ideas during their presentation.
Students' perceptions toward online learning in EFL Speaking
Authors: Tusino Tusino
Published: May 2022

Although there have been numerous studies on online learning in language classes, fewer studies focus on EFL speaking. This qualitative case study aimed at describing students’ perceptions toward the implementation of online learning in speaking classes. The participants were EFL students taking a speaking course in an Indonesian university. Open-response questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were employed. The results showed that students had positive attitudes toward online learning through a Zoom application. It was also found that some challenges arose toward the implementation of online learning. It is suggested that the lecturers should emphasize more on collaborative and blended learning in teaching EFL speaking.
Teachers’ Difficulties in Enhancing EFL Students’ Reading Motivation
Authors: Rohmani Lucky Amatur
Published: May 2022

One of English teachers’ major concerns in teaching reading is students’ low reading motivation. Studies show that most of EFL learners are not highly enthusiastic when the teachers have them read English texts. Likewise, there have been limited efforts done by the teachers to address this problem. This study was therefore aimed to investigate the levels of students’ reading motivation, teachers’ difficulties in enhancing students’ reading motivation, and teacher effort to overcome the problems of motivating students to read. The participants were three EFL teachers and 12 students of junior secondary school in East Java. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observation. The result of semi-structured interview revealed that most of students had low reading motivation due to their understanding of difficult words in the reading text. Added to this, the major difficulty of teachers to enhance students’ reading motivation is related to increasing the interest, dedication and confidence of students in solving difficult vocabularies while reading English texts. This major difficulty reported by the teachers is in agreement with students’ report on their low reading motivation due to their limited vocabulary. Then, the result of observation showed that rewards had different effects on students’ reading motivation and the teachers should improve their efforts to enhance students’ reading motivation. Hence, several strategies such as reward, metacognitive   reading strategy, reciprocal teaching method, reading aloud to improve students’ reading motivation were also suggested.
KRONİK HASTALARIN E-SAĞLIK OKURYAZARLIK DÜZEYLERİ ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA*
Authors: KURTOĞLU İrem , YILMAZ Necla , TAŞ Mehmet Ali
Published: May 2022

Bu araştırmanın amacı; en az bir kronik hastalığı bulunan bireylerin e-sağlık okuryazarlık düzeylerinin incelenmesidir. Bunun yanında internette sağlıkla ilgili bilgilere ulaşma sıklığının, hangi mecraların kullanıldığının incelenmesi ve çeşitli demografik değişkenler açısından farklılığın olup olmadığının tespit edilmesidir. Kolayda örnekleme yoluyla Isparta il merkezinde yaşayan ve kronik hastalığı bulunan 405 bireye ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplamak için anket tekniği kullanılmıştır. Ankette e-sağlık okuryazarlığı ölçeği ve demografik bilginin toplanmasına yönelik sorular yer almaktadır. E-sağlık okuryazarlık ortalamasının 3,70 olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Katılımcıların cinsiyet, yaş ve medeni durumu grupları bağlamında e-sağlık okuryazarlık ortalamasında anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Öte yandan eğitim düzeyi, gelir durumu, internetteki sağlık kaynaklarına erişebilmenin önem derecesi ve sağlık hakkında karar vermede internetin yararlılık düzeylerinin grupları bağlamında anlamlı farklıklar tespit edilmiştir. Kronik hastaların eğitim düzeyleri ve gelir durumları yükseldikçe e-sağlık okuryazarlık düzeyleri daha da yükselmektedir. Ayrıca e-sağlık okuryazarlığın gelişmesinde sağlıkla ilgili bilgi kaynaklarına internetten erişmenin önemli ve yararlı olduğu söylenebilir.
AĞIR SANAYİ ÇALIŞANLARININ DEMOGRAFİK ÖZELLİKLERİNİN YAŞAM KALİTELERİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİNİN ANALİZİ
Authors: BAĞLAN Fatma Betül , BAŞLIGİL Hüseyin , AKARSU Canan Hazal , İNAN Umut Hulusi
Published: May 2022

Bazı meslekler, barındırdığı zorluklar sebebiyle diğer meslek gruplarından ayrışabilmektedir. Ağır sanayi çalışanlarının yaşam kaliteleri, barındırdığı zorluklar sebebi ile önemli bir konudur. Bu çalışmada demir-çelik ve makine sanayinde çalışan 38 ağır sanayi çalışanı ile yapılan anketler değerlendirilerek demografik özelliklerinin yaşam kaliteleri üzerindeki etkisi analiz edilmiştir. Kurulan hipotezler, Kısmi En Küçük Kareler Yapısal Eşitlik Modeli (KEKK-YEM) ve Smart PLS 3 paket programı ile test edilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda kabul edilen hipotezleri etki derecelerine göre sıralamak için çok kriterli karar verme tekniklerinden yararlanılmıştır. Çalışmada bulanık karar verme yaklaşımı olarak AHP bütünleşik TOPSIS yöntemi kullanılmış ve hipotezlerin etki derecelerine göre sıralamasının KEKK-YEM analizinin sonuçlarını desteklediği görülmüştür. Analiz sonucunda 7 hipotez kabul edilmiştir. Her iki yöntemde de H20 hipotezinin yani eğitim düzeyinin çevresel koşullar üzerindeki etkisinin en yüksek etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Çalışmamızda ele aldığımız KEKK-YEM analizi ve bulanık AHP bütünleşik TOPSIS yöntemi, ağır sanayi çalışanlarının demografik özelliklerinin yaşam kaliteleri üzerindeki etkisini belirleme probleminde literatürde ilk defa kullanılmıştır.
Karakteristik Logam-logam dalam Partikel Tak Terlarut Debu Jatuh di Serpong
Authors:   Puslitbang Kualitas dan Laboratorium Lingkungan Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Kawasan Puspiptek Serpong, Puji Lestari, S.Si,M.Sc, Retno , Hindratmo Bambang , Nelson Ricky
Published: May 2022

Karakteristik Logam-logam dalam Partikel Tak Terlarut Debu Jatuh di Serpong. Partikulat merupakan bentuk polutan yang paling terlihat dalam pencemaran udara. Selain TSP, PM10, dan PM2,5, ada pula debu jatuh yang terdiri dari partikel-partikel yang dapat melewati saringan 1 mm, namun cukup berat untuk dapat jatuh dari udara ambien ke permukaan tanah. Kajian pemantauan debu jatuh di Pusat Standardisasi Instrumen dan Kualitas Lingkungan Hidup (PSIKLH) Serpong dilakukan dalam periode 2018-2020 untuk mengetahui konsentrasi debu jatuh dan logam-logam yang terkandung di dalam partikel tak terlarut. Pengujian debu jatuh mengacu pada ASTM D 1739-1998 (2004): Standard Methods for Collection and Measurement of Dustfall. Alat sampling debu jatuh merupakan sebuah kontainer gelas dengan ukuran tertentu yang ditempatkan di tempat terbuka dan dibiarkan selama 30 hari sebelum dianalisis di laboratorium. Air hasil tampungan selama sampling tersebut dikumpulkan dalam wadah sampel. Partikulat tak terlarut dan terlarut dalam debu jatuh ditentukan secara terpisah menggunakan metode gravimetri, sementara logam-logam dianalisis menggunakan Spektrofotometri Serapan Atom Hitachi ZA-3300 dengan metode modifikasi SNI 7119-4-2017. Konsentrasi rata-rata tahunan debu jatuh di Serpong pada Juni - Desember 2018, Maret - Desember 2019, dan Maret - Desember 2020 masing-masing adalah 4,5±2,9; 5,5±2,3; dan 5,9±4,1 t/km2/bulan. Nilai tersebut masih berada di bawah baku mutu debu jatuh berdasarkan PP No 41/1999 yaitu 10 t/km2/bulan. Berdasarkan PP No 22/2021 Lampiran VII tentang Baku Mutu Udara Ambien, parameter ini tidak lagi dimasukkan. Lima logam yang dominan ditemukan dalam partikel tak terlarut debu jatuh adalah Fe>K>Zn>Mg>Ca dengan konsentrasi rata-rata 10,3>2,4>1,9>1,5>0,3 mg/kg. Potensi sumber pencemaran diduga berasal dari sumber alami seperti mineral kerak bumi dan kegiatan antropogenik seperti material konstruksi bangunan, sektor industri, dan transportasi.
Allergy is an Immune Disorder Related to a Lack of Regulation: The Gluing Role of IL-2
Authors: Mengel Jose
Published: May 2022

This manuscript provides a new integrated view of the development of allergen-specific TH2 and the lack of their associated Treg cells in a unified model, justifying the need for IL-2 to correct allergy conditions.
When the Patient Is Making the (Wrong) Diagnosis: A Biographical Approach to Patients Consulting for Presumed Lyme Disease
Authors: Romain Lutaud , Verger Pierre , Peretti-Watel Patrick , Eldin Carole
Published: May 2022

Background: Media coverage of Lyme disease (LD) has led to an increase in consultations for presumed LD in Europe. However, LD is confirmed in only 10-20% of patients, with a significant number remaining in a diagnostic dead-end. Objectives: To reach a deeper understanding of how patients themselves contribute to the diagnostic process. To describe the genesis of the LD hypothesis in care pathways. Methods: In 2019, 30 patients from a prospective cohort consulting in the infectious diseases department at University Hospital in Marseille for presumed LD were recruited for semi-structured interviews. The inclusion criteria were : suffering from subjective symptoms for 6 months, no clinical or paraclinical argument suggesting current LD. The patients’ medical trajectories were collected using a biographical approach. Results: The diagnosis of Lyme disease was primarily triggered by identification with personal testimonies found on the internet. Most of patients were leading the diagnostic investigation. Majority of participants were convinced they had LD despite the lack of medical evidence and the scepticism of their referring GP. Conclusion: GPs should first systematically explore patients’ etiologic representations. We hypothesize that a patient-centered approach improves adherence to the diagnosis especially in the management of medically unexplained symptoms. Long COVID-19 syndrome challenge offers an opportunity to promote active patient involvement in diagnosis.
Advances in Energy Hybridization for Resilient Supply: A Sustainable Approach to the Growing Middle East Demand
Authors: Al-Rubaye Haider , Smith Joseph D. , Zangana Mohammed H.S. , Zhou Yishu , Gelles Greg
Published: May 2022

Energy poverty, defined as a lack of access to reliable electricity and reliance on traditional biomass resources for cooking, affects over a billion people daily. The World Health Organization estimates that household air pollution from inefficient stoves causes more premature deaths than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS). Increasing demand for energy has led to dramatic increases in carbon emissions. The need for reliable electricity and limiting carbon emissions drives research on Resil-ient Hybrid Energy Systems (RHES) that provide low-carbon energy through combined wind, so-lar, and biomass energy with traditional fossil energy, increasing production efficiency and relia-bility, and reducing generating costs and carbon emissions. Microgrids have been shown as an ef-ficient means of implementing RHES, with some focused mainly on reducing the environmental impact of electric power generation. The technical challenges of designing, implementing and ap-plying microgrids involve conducting a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate these systems' environmental and economic performance under diverse operating conditions to evaluate resiliency. A sample RHES has been developed and used to demonstrate implementation in rural applications. This system can provide reliable electricity for heating, cooling, lighting, and pumping clean water. This paper's primary focus is the challenges of using resilient energy sys-tems in the Middle East.
USA Carbon Footprints of Grills, by Fuel & Grill Type, 2022-27
Authors: Johnson Eric , Gafford Alex
Published: May 2022

Grill-specific footprints for common fuels/grill types in the USA are estimated from public information and data from a major grill manufacturer. These are a function of both 1) a fuel’s footprint and 2) a grill’s efficiency of cooking. In 2022, grill-specific footprints vary by 9:1. A typical gas grill is highest at 3.6 lb CO2e/grill session, nine times that of a wood-pellet grill, lowest at 0.4 lb. Charcoal briquettes, electricity and super-efficient gas grills come in-between. Pellets are lowest, because they are made from waste wood and their production burden is modest. Electricity has the highest fuel footprint, yet the second-lowest grill-specific footprint, thanks to its high efficiency. Briquettes come in fourth, because their production involves fossil gas, and they contain some fossil coal. Grill efficiency is key for gas (natural gas or propane): a typical gas grill has twice the footprint of a super-efficient one. In 2027, with bio substitution, the super-efficient gas grill would move ahead of pellets. Electricity and charcoal could improve but would still place fifth and sixth. The range of grill-specific footprints could fall to 4.5:1, within a much-lower range, the highest footprint in 2027 almost 60% lower than 2022’s highest.
The Virus-induced Upregulation of the miR-183/96/182 Cluster and the FoxO Family Protein Members are not Required for the Efficient Replication of HSV-1
Authors: Zubković Andreja , Žarak Ines , Ratkaj Ivana , Rokić Filip , Badurina Maja , Pribanić Matešić Marina , Lebron Ricardo , Gómez-Martín Cristina , Lisnić Berislav , Lisnic Vanda Juranic , Jonjić Stipan , Pan Dongli , Vugrek Oliver , Hackenberg MIchael , Jurak Igor
Published: May 2022

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) expresses a large number of miRNAs, and their function is still not completely understood. In addition, HSV-1 has been found to deregulate host miRNAs, which adds to the complexity of regulation of efficient virus replication. In this study, we comprehen-sively addressed the deregulation of host miRNAs by massive-parallel sequencing. We found that only miRNAs expressed from a single cluster, miR-183/96/182 are reproducibly deregulated dur-ing productive infection. These miRNAs are predicted to regulate a great number of potential tar-gets involved in different cellular processes and have only 33 shared targets. Among these, mem-bers of the FoxO family of proteins were identified as potential targets for all three miRNAs. However, our study shows that the upregulated miRNAs do not affect the expression of FoxO proteins, moreover these proteins were upregulated in HSV-1 infection. Furthermore, we show that the individual FoxO proteins are not required for efficient HSV-1 replication. Taken together, our results indicate a complex and redundant response of infected cells to the virus infection that is efficiently inhibited by the virus.
Structural Analysis of Fluid Flow in Complex Biological Systems
Authors: Eisenberg Robert
Published: May 2022

Biology is about structure. Structures within structures. Organs within animals, tissues within organs, cells within tissues, and molecules, often proteins within cells. The structures are so complex that they can only be described by numbers. No numbers are of more importance than those that describe proteins. The numbers that describe coordinates of its atoms, often determined by Patterson functions (which are inverse Fourier Transforms of intensities) of crystal diffraction. Without these numbers, structural biology would hardly exist. Without numbers, engineering would not exist. Numbers are surely needed by the engineers who produce the x-rays diffracting from atoms of protein crystals. Devices of engineering have function. They are built to implement equations. Engineering devices use structures to implement equations, when power is supplied at the right places, that produces appropriate flows. Flows are the essence of life. Equilibrium means death in most living systems. Flows in biological structures are hard to analyze because we do not know input output equations in advance. Sometimes we do not know their function. Flows, forces, and structures of life (like those of engineering) are related by field equations of conservation laws, partial differential equations, constrained by location and properties of structures. Constraints are boundary conditions located on the complicated domain of biological structure. Dealing with this complexity is simplified if one systematically analyzes structure using the most general field theory known, electricity described by the Maxwell equations, without significant known error. Currents are involved because flows of biology usually involve migration of charges, convection of water and solutes, diffusion of ions that form the plasma of life, and their interactions. Interactions can dominate function. Here I show how a few complex structures can be understood in engineering detail. This approach may be useful in dealing with biological and medical issues in many other cases. In one limited case—the clearance of a toxic waste (potassium ions) from the optic nerve—this approach seems to have succeeded.
ANTIOXIDANTAND ANTIBACTERIALACTIVITY OF TODDALIA ASIATICA (LINN) LAM ROOT EXTRACTS
Authors: Shi Lei , Ji Zhi-qiang , Li Yue-mei , Li Yuan-yuan , Guo Chang-sheng
Published: May 2022

Background: Toddalia asiatica (Linn) Lam is a woody vine that is used medicinally in China, India, and East Africa. The aim of the present study

was to examine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the roots of Toddalia asiatica (Linn) Lam (TA).

Materials and Methods: The antioxidant capacity of TA roots was determined using 1,1 iphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH),

2,2´-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS), and the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay. The antimicrobial

activity of TA against Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and extended-spectrum β-lactamase positive S. aureus

(ESBLs-SA) was screened.

Results: Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of TA exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The methanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity

(DPPH, IC50=41.45 μg/mL; ABTS, IC50=8.34 μg/mL; FRAP=1304.8 ± 60.38 μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g), which was close to that of the

positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The petroleum ether extract of TA showed the highest antimicrobial activity (SA, minimum

inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 250 μg/disc; MRSA, MIC=125 μg/disc) when compared with that of ethyl acetate extract (SA, MIC=250 μg/disc)

and methanol extract.

Conclusions: Investigation of methanol, petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate extracts of TA root revealed robust antioxidant activity in methanol

extracts and strong antimicrobial activity against SA and MRSA in petroleum ether extracts.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERBS AND THEIR MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ACTION
Authors: Nworu Chukwuemeka Sylvester , Akah Peter Achunike
Published: May 2022

Background: Medicinal plant and plant products have shown tremendous potentials and are used beneficially in the treatment of inflammation and in the management of diseases with significant inflammatory components. Many medicinal plants employed as anti-inflammatory and anti-phlogistic remedies lack the gastro-erosive side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or the plethora of unwanted side effects associated with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In order to harness and optimise the applications of these herbs in inflammatory diseases, there is a need to understand how these herbs produce their anti-inflammatory actions.

Materials and Methods: This paper is a review of some anti-inflammatory herbs and their molecular mechanisms of action. A literature search and analysis of published manuscript was employed to x-ray research findings that show how medicinal plants produce anti-inflammatory activities.

Results: Many studies have shown that anti-inflammatory activities of herbal extracts and herb-derived compounds are mainly due to their inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, cyclo-oxygenase (COX), lipo-oxygenase (LOX), pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide, and transcription activation factor (NF-κB). Some anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs are reported to stabilize lysosomal membrane and some cause the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation of intracellular signalling molecules. Many have also been shown to possess strong oxygen radical scavenging activities.

Conclusion: Most of the mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory medicinal plants act are related and many herbal products have been shown to act through a combination of these molecular pathways.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ACUTE TOXICITY EVALUATION OF AQUEOUS INFUSION EXTRACT OBTAINED FROM AERIAL PARTS OF MARRUBIUM DESERTI DE NOÉ GROWING IN ALGERIA
Authors: Saad Somia , Ouafi Saida , Chabane Djamila
Published: May 2022

Background: Marrubium deserti de Noé, which is locally known as “Merriouet saharaui”, is widely used in Algeria as a traditional treatment of

many ailments. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity of the aqueous infusion extract from aerial parts of Marrubium deserti

were investigated. Meanwhile, acute oral toxicity of M. deserti, as well as its anti-inflammatory activity is reported for the first time.

Materials and Method: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenin-induced paw oedema in mice at three different doses

(250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t-test.

Results: The aqueous infusion extract (250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight, orally administered, n=6) showed a significant (P2000mg/kg) suggests that the aqueous infusion extract has a relatively low acute

toxicity when taken orally for a single dose.

Conclusions: The present study indicates that M. deserti has a significant anti-inflammatory effect and confirms its traditional use as a treatment

of pain, yet it suggests further investigations to be carried out to determine the active chemical constituents.
MICROORGANISMS FROM HANDS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL DOCTORS IN A CENTRAL HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Sun Ye , Yu LiXiang , Sun Min , Tong YanQing
Published: May 2022

Background: In a central hospital, the heavy clinical workload makes one to overlook its hazard to health and can to a large extent promote the

transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. It is not uncommon however, to observe practices that deviate from normal standards of hygiene.

Hand contact between doctors of TCM and patients may lead to nosocomial infections.

Materials and Methods: Samples were sourced and collected from hands of TCM doctors in a central hospital. The fungal isolates were

identified by colonial morphology and microscopic examination. Sensitivity test were performed on each of the identified isolates using the

Multiple Disc Diffusion method.

Results: A total of 265 samples were collected from the fingers, palm and back of hands of TCM doctors. Seven organisms were isolated, with S.

aureus being the most common bacterium with frequency of 55.9% in the hospital environment. Other bacteria isolated included P. aeruginosa,

E. coli and K. aerogenes. S. cerevisae was the most common fungus isolated with frequency of 61.8%. Fungi isolated included P. chrysogenum

and A. niger.

Conclusion: The study showed clearly that hand contact between TCM doctors and patients may lead to infection of exposed susceptible

patients. Results of antibiotic susceptibility pattern show that isolates in this study are mostly resistant to augmentin and most antibiotics of old

generation, while gentamycin and pefloxacin were highly active against most of isolates. Considering the possibility of transmission of

contamination, special attention should be directed towards disinfection of TCM doctors’ hands.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI RESIN FROM SOQOTRA ISLAND ON MULTI DRUG RESISTANT HUMAN PATHOGENS
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Javed , Al-Ghamdi Ahmad , Al-Waili Noori , Adgaba Nuru , Khan Khalid Ali , Amro Abdulraouf
Published: May 2022

Background: Few studies showed that Dracaena cinnabari resin, collected from Soqotra Island, Yemen, has antimicrobial activity. This study

is the first to investigate antimicrobial activity of the resin on both antibiotic multi-resistant human pathogens and on poly-microbial culture.

Material and Methods: Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Dracaena cinnabari resin from Soqotra Island on multidrug resistant

Gram-positive and Gram-negative human ATCC standard pathogens and Ascosphaera apis, the causal organism of chalkbrood disease of

honeybee was studied using the agar disc diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration of extracts was carried out by the broth micro

dilution method.

Results: Ethanolic extract of Dracaena cinnabari resin showed a considerable antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens tested. The zone

of inhibition were between 4.9-11.5 mm. The most sensitive microbe was Staphylococcus aureus and least sensitive was Aspergillus nidulans.

The minimal inhibitory concentration of the extract against Escherichia. coli ATCC 10402, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 10031, and

Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29212 was 1.25 μg/mL (w/v) and for the other pathogens (Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Salmonella

typhimurum ATCC 3311 and Pseudomonos aeruginosa ATCC 2785) was 2.5 μg/mL (w/v).

Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Dracaena cinnabari resin has a considerable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative

human pathogens and fungi. This extract might possess a role in the management of microbial infections in human and honeybee disease.
POTENTIAL EFFECT OF FORTIFIED PAN BREAD WITH ALOE VERA JUICE ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Al-Muammar May , Elsadek M.F. , El-Shafie Mona
Published: May 2022

Background: This study was designed to investigate (1) the potential use of Aloe vera juice (AVJ) for fortification of pan bread with evaluates

the sensory characteristics and the nutritive value. (2) The possible beneficial role of 5% and 10% AVJ-fortified bread against diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: Bread fortified with 5%, 10% and 20% AVJ investigated with panel test and the highest two scores (5%, 10%) were

recorded and included for biological study. Forty male Albino rats weighted 200 + 10 g were divided into 4 groups (n=10) (-) control, (+)

diabetic control, 5% and 10% AVJ-fortified bread.

Results: Diabetic rats resulted in significant (p
COMPARING THE INFLUENCE OF RELAXATION TRAINING AND CONSUMPTION OF VALERIAN ON INSOMNIA OF MENOPAUSEWOMEN: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Authors: Jokar Azam , Kargosha Atefe , Akarzadeh Marzieh , Asadi Nasrin , Setoudeh Zahra
Published: May 2022

Background: Sleep disturbance is one of the symptoms of menopause, which occurs due to a decrease in sex hormones and dramatically affects the

quality of life. This study was designed to compare the effects of relaxation and Valerian on insomnia of menopause women.

Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial in 129 menopausal women with insomnia that were randomly allocated to three groups valerian,

relaxation and control. After 1 month information obtained by demographic questionnaire and sleep quality Petersburg, then data analyzed in the

software SPSS20 at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: The results showed there was significant difference in the level of education , age of marriage(p
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FENGLIAO-CHANGWEIKANG EXTRACTS, A TRADITIONAL CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE FORMULA,ON MUCOSA IN RAT WITH CHRONIC GASTRITIS
Authors: Ren Shou-zhong , Guo Jian-sheng , Sheng Lin , Jun Chen , Dai Shui-ping , Ma Zhi-jian
Published: May 2022

Background: Fengliao-Changwei-Kang(FCK), Chinese patent drug, is a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula, which is effectively used to cure gastrointestinal disease including gastritis, enteritis and diarrhea in the clinic for many years. However, little research has been focused on the protective effects of FCK on the gastric mucosa of chronic gastritis (CG) model rat.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the effects of FCK extract on mucosa in rats with Chronic Gastritis.

Materials and Methods: The CG rat model was induced by synthetic methods. The serum levels of EGF was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method, the expression of growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemical method, the mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65 was detected in-situ hybridization.

Results: In the model group, the inflammation grades of gastric mucosa and the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA in gastric mucosa were markedly higher than those of the control group (P0.05).

Conclusions: FCK extract could alleviate mucosal inflammation by down regulating the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA and promote tissue repair by up regulating EGFR expression in gastric mucosa cell.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOTAL PHENOLIC, TOTAL FLAVONOID AND OLEUROPEIN IN DIFFERENT AGED OLIVE (OLEA EUROPAEA L.) CULTIVAR LEAVES
Authors: Cetinkaya Hakan , Kulak Muhittin
Published: May 2022

Backround and objective: Olive leaves have recently gained attention owing to its antioxidant antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Bioactive contents of olive leaves differ according to cultivation area, ecological conditions, age of tree, agronomical practices, cultivar, leaf growth stage and other abiotic and biotic stress factors.

Material and Method: In this study, Olea europaea L. cultivar (Kilis Yaglık) at different age grown in Kilis were examined. In this context, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and oleuropein content of young and old tree leaves determined.

Results: Correlations between total phenolic, total flavonoid and oleuropein in young and old trees of Kilis Yaglık cv. were found to be significant with respect to the content of each other, cultivars and age under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions.

Conclusion: In the current study, more phenolic compounds and oleuropein were determined in young trees of cv. Kilis Yaglık whereas the higher total amounts of flavonoids were obtained in old trees. There were positive strong-correlation in terms of total phenolic and oleuropein contents and positive-moderate correlation in relation to the total flavonoid content between old and young trees of cv. Kilis Yaglık.
EVALUATION OF HYPOGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF INTERNAL SEPTUM OF WALNUT FRUIT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Ghiravani Zahra , Hosseini Mehran , Taheri MohamadMehdi Hassanzadeh , Fard Mohammad Hassanpour , Abedini Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2022

Background: Todays, the popularity of herbal medicine is increasing worldwide. Due to importance the evaluation of medicinal

herbs efficacy and safety, the present study was conducted to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of internal

septum of walnut fruit (ISWF) ethanolic extract in diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Alloxan diabetic rats treated orally with ethanolic extract of ISWF (0-400mg/kg) for 28 days. To evaluate

its anti-diabetic activity, the animals fasting blood glucose were determined on the first, 14th and 29th days. Moreover, oral glucose

tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in diabetic rats at the last day of the study. After 24h of last administration, the blood samples

were collected, and the Plasma lipids and liver enzymes levels were measured in fasting overnight rats.

Results: The extract significantly decreased blood glucose (p