bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the level of development and proficiency in coordination motor abilities among female and male athletes of selected combat sports
Authors: Lyakh Vladimir
Published: February 2022

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine gender differences in the level of development and proficiency in coordination motor abilities (CMAs) in athletes of selected combat sports. Materials and Methods. We analyzed the results of our experimental studies and the data and analyses of the material collected by other authors on the differences in the level of development and proficiency in CMAs in female and male wrestlers, taekwondo athletes, and kickboxers. Results. It was found that with age, training experience, and increasing competencies, gender differences in the level of most CMAs tend to decrease. Each athlete has their individual dynamics of development and proficiency in CMAs, which is not consistent for each ability and does not always coincide with the general trend of changes with age. Conclusions. The conclusion from the findings of the author’s empirical research is that the level of various CMAs can be improved across different age categories including preschool children, schoolchildren, and qualified athletes aged 15-29 years. With proper coordination training, younger and middle school children can reach, and often exceed, the CMAs levels of adolescents (boys and girls) at secondary school age. The rates of improvement of various CMAs over the same period in children of the experimental groups and in young competitive athletes may be 10-20% higher than in children or athletes of control groups of similar age. A comparison of the different CMAs in young athletes aged from 11 to 15 years, in whom these abilities have been developed in a systematic manner for one to four years with peers not involved in regular sports training showed that trained boys and girls outperformed untrained individuals by 10-20, 20-40, and even 60-100 and more percent. The analysis of the collected material shows that the assumption that, with equal trainability of girls and boys of preschool age, younger and older schoolchildren, and young and competitive wrestlers, higher responsiveness to identical coordination training programs, however, is observed in girls and adolescent and adult competitive athletes compared to their male peers.
Changes in the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of High Manganese Steel by High Heat Input Welding and General Welding Processes
Authors: Park Tae-Uk , Jung Dong-Hee , Park Ji-Hyun , Kim Jong-Ho , Han Il-Wook
Published: February 2022

The demand for liquefied-natural-gas-fueled tanks on ships is growing in accordance with IMO 2020 regulations. The use of high manganese steel has increased recently, as this material can be applied at cryogenic service temperatures according to IGF code and has economic advantages over other materials. In this study, the high heat input welding process, which involves one-side submerged arc welding (SAW) welding with cut wire, is investigated to increase the productivity of high manganese fuel tank welding. The Flux cored arc welding and SAW welding processes are also evaluated and compared with the high heat input welding process. The mechanical properties of high manganese steel satisfied the class requirements and no precipitates were found in the weldment and heat-affected zone.
Wortschatzerwerb im Unterricht: Wie kann man anders und dabei effektiv mit dem neuen Wortschatz arbeiten?
Authors: Zolcerová Ivana
Published: February 2022

Thema des vorliegenden Artikels ist die Gestaltung des effektiven Wortschatzerwerbs. Sein Hauptziel besteht darin, den Fremdsprachenlehrern unterschiedliche Lernaktivitäten zu zeigen, die in den verschiedenen Phasen der Wortschatzvermittlung benutzt werden könnten. Der vorliegende Artikel erhebt dabei keineswegs Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit in der Auflistung der Lernaktivitäten. Er soll vielmehr den Fremdsprachenlehrern neue Wege der Wortschatzvermittlung zeigen.Der Artikel gliedert sich in drei Teile. Nach der Definition der Hauptbegriffe wird auf die Rolle der Lehrkraft in der Wortschatzvermittlung aufmerksam gemacht. Weiter werden die konkreten Phasen der Wortschatzvermittlung geschildert, wobei zu jeder Phase mehrere Aktivitäten der Wortschatzvermittlung erläutert werden. The subject of this paper is an examination of the ways how vocabulary acquisition can be created. The main aim of this article is to present the phases of the vocabulary acquisition with the efficient activities suitable to each phase. The list of activities is not complete. It should work as an inspiration for other foreign language teachers for their practice.    The article is divided into three parts. In the first part the main terms are defined. The second part is dedicated to the tasks of the teacher by the acquisition of vocabulary. The third part is focused on the phases of vocabulary acquisition and suitable methods for each phase.
Examining Developmental Dialogue: the Emergence of Transformative Agency
Authors: Heikkila Heli , Seppänen Laura
Published: February 2022

The intervention method of Developmental Dialogue, originally developed by Laura Mott (1992),has been further elaborated to promote employees’ professional development and well-being. Theaim of formative interventions is to enhance the agency of participants. There is particular interestin transformative agency, which is defined as participants’ capacity to take purposeful actions tochange their work activity. By applying six types of agency expressions, this paper examines howtransformative agency emerges in an interaction between a DD participant and the interventionist.The agency expressions are analysed in the context of explicit and implicit intervention tools andobjects of talk. The analysis yields a new category called reframing agency which is of interestparticularly from a work-related well-being perspective. We interpret the findings with the notionof a contradictory object within the cycle model of professional development. The case suggeststhat changes in work, as interpreted by the researchers do not always fully grasp the participant’ssense of collective work. Finally, at the end of the paper we propose ideas for further research.
Controversy as a Developmental Tool in Cross Self-Confrontation Analysis
Authors: Kostulski Katia , Kloetzer Laure
Published: February 2022

In Psychology, the issue of language usage as a means of action in psychological life requires thatwe question the relations between the forms of language expression and their psychologicalfunctions. The current paper contributes to an understanding of this question. The relationbetween form and function is examined here, with particular focus on a discursive and dialogicmethod employed in the Activity Clinic approach to elicit controversy as a means of developingdialogical thinking. We argue that the interfunctionality of levels of dialogue serves developmentalprocesses, promoting thought and the possibilities for its elaboration. We describe thesedevelopmental processes on the basis of an empirical analysis of a sequence from an interventionconducted with Roman Catholic Priests on preaching in homily. Our methodological frameworkshave the function of vivifying dialogical thinking about work, by making use of theinterfunctionality of levels of dialogue and the vital function of social relations in thepsychological life of the subjects.
A Genealogy of the Ridiculous: From 'Humours' to Humour
Authors: Goldberg Brenda
Published: February 2022

We tend to take the phenomenon of humour for granted, seeing it for the most part as something innately and fundamentally human. However we might go even further than this, and say that the phenomenon of humour is perceived as an essential part of what makes us human. In this respect, philosophers and theorists as wide apart as Aristotle and the French, feminist Julia Kristeva (1980; also see Goldberg, 1999a) have regarded a baby's ability to laugh as one of the earliest signs of the separation of 'self' from 'other', a reciprocal process deemed to be crucial to the formation of a separate identity. However, although the general importance of humour might be agreed amongst researchers, what theoretical position one takes will have a profound effect on how one approaches and analyses humour. In much psychological research the focus tends to be on how humour works, i.e., syntax, semantic categories, sex differences, personality types, etc., and one finds a frustrating neglect of what is actually meant by the term 'humour' in terms of history and emergences. Consequently, an important question tends to go unchallenged: Is humour some unproblematic innate human ability, or, a socially defined concept that has changed and mutated alongside our understanding of what is means to be person? In an attempt to grapple with this question, the following genealogical account is less concerned with fathoming out how humour works than with relating it to notions of human subjectivity, or how theories of humor have informed and reflected social constructs of what it means to be a 'subject'.
Transforming the Object in Product Design
Authors: Hyysalo Sampsa
Published: February 2022

Product design is a process in which multiple understandings of technology and society are transformed into characteristics of a product, into skills found in the design team, and finally, into scripts that prefigure the use of the technology. Because of its particular concern with mutual transformations of objects, social collectives and subjects, activity theory seems a potentially powerful framework for analyzing the complexity of product design work. I utilize the concepts of motive and object of activity to analyze an innovation process in a small high-tech company. This analysis shows that engagement with the novel objects in the design process led to a significant transformation in the expertise, organization of work and dominant motive of the work community. In theoretical terms, the analysis suggests an alternative to the idea that an activity has one objectified motive which is instantiated in an object in the material world. It may be sensible to analyze product design as poly-motivated and its motives as instantiated in a number of different project-objects.
College Athletics and Disseminating Sports Betting Data
Authors: Rodenberg Ryan M.
Published: February 2022

The focus of this article is the interplay between college athletics and sports betting data dissemination, a near-future friction poised for litigation given concurrent issues involving name-image-likeness (NIL) rights and concentration of college sports via mega-conferences.
Decolonising Arabic Language Teaching: A Case Study
Authors: Columbu Alessandro
Published: February 2022

Since the early 2000s Arabic has become an increasingly popular language at academic level across Europe and North America, with high numbers of students enrolling on a variety of programmes offering Modern Standard Arabic – as well as local varieties of Arabic, commonly known as ‘āmmiyya – as the target language (Dickins and Watson 2006, 108; Ryding 2006, 13; Mohamed 2021b, 59). The increasingly high demand for this language has resulted in unprecedented progress in the variety of learning materials available for both teachers and learners. Such developments have largely taken place in the United States, where most textbooks such as the Al-Kitaab series are designed and printed. This paper employs decolonisation and post-colonial theory to look at the ideological implications of the political agendas implicit in popular and widely adopted textbooks and their proposed content for teaching Arabic as a foreign language. Relevant examples from the Al-Kitaab series – one of the most successful and widely adopted textbooks at university level in the UK – show the role of Arabic language teaching materials in perpetuating patterns of European and North American cultural hegemony, making the case for rethinking Arabic language teaching at academic level.
Deep convolutional neural networks for regular texture recognition
Authors: Liu Ni , Rogers Mitchell , Cui Hua , Liu Weiyu , Li Xizhi , Delmas Patrice
Published: February 2022

Regular textures are frequently found in man-made environments and some biological and physical images. There are a wide range of applications for recognizing and locating regular textures. In this work, we used deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as a general method for modelling and classifying regular and irregular textures. We created a new regular texture database and investigated two sets of deep CNNs-based methods for regular and irregular texture classification. First, the classic CNN models (e.g. inception, residual network,etc.) were used in a standard way. These two-class CNN classifiers were trained by fine-tuning networks using our new regular texture database. Next, we transformed the trained filter features of the last convolutional layer into a vector representation using Fisher Vector pooling (FV). Such representations can be efficiently used for a wide range of machine learning tasks such as classification or clustering, thus more transferable from one domain to another. Our experiments show that the standard CNNs attained sufficient accuracy for regular texture recognition tasks. The Fisher representations combined with support vector machine (SVM) also showed high performance for regular and irregular texture classification. We also find CNNs performs sub-optimally for long-range patterns, despite the fact that their fully-connected layers pool local features into a global image representation.
Comparative study on anatomical traits and gas exchange responses due to belowground hypoxic stress and thermal stress in three tropical seagrasses
Authors: Soonthornkalump Sutthinut , Ow Yan Xiang , Saewong Chanida , Buapet Pimchanok
Published: February 2022

Background

The ability to maintain sufficient oxygen levels in the belowground tissues and the rhizosphere is crucial for the growth and survival of seagrasses in habitats with highly reduced sediment. Such ability varies depending on plant anatomical features and environmental conditions.

Methods

In the present study, we compared anatomical structures of roots, rhizomes and leaves of the tropical intertidal seagrasses, Cymodocea rotundata, Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis, followed by an investigation of their gas exchange both in the belowground and aboveground tissues and photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) in response to experimental manipulations of O2 level (normoxia and root hypoxia) and temperature (30 °C and 40 °C).

Results

We found that C. rotundata and T. hemprichii displayed mostly comparable anatomical structures, whereas H. ovalis displayed various distinctive features, including leaf porosity, number and size of lacunae in roots and rhizomes and structure of radial O2 loss (ROL) barrier. H. ovalis also showed unique responses to root hypoxia and heat stress. Root hypoxia increased O2 release from belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic activity of H. ovalis but did not affect the other two seagrasses. More pronounced warming effects were detected in H. ovalis, measured as lower O2 release in the belowground tissues and overall photosynthetic capacity (O2 release and dissolved inorganic carbon uptake in the light and ETR). High temperature inhibited photosynthesis of C. rotundata and T. hemprichii but did not affect their O2 release in belowground tissues. Our data show that seagrasses inhabiting the same area respond differently to root hypoxia and temperature, possibly due to their differences in anatomical and physiological attributes. Halophila ovalis is highly dependent on photosynthesis and appears to be the most sensitive species with the highest tendency of O2 loss in hypoxic sediment. At the same time, its root oxidation capacity may be compromised under warming scenarios.
Lost Opportunities for Cornea Retrieval: A Cross-sectional Study from District Hospital, Tumakuru, Karnataka
Authors: Siddalingamurthy Roopa Bharamshetter
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Corneal blindness in developing countries mainly affects the younger population. About 95% of corneal blindness can be avoided. The economic burden to society is much higher with corneal blindness compared to cataracts. Corneal transplant (Keratoplasty) is the primary vision restoring procedure to rehabilitate patients with corneal blindness. The procedure requires viable corneal tissue. The corneal tissues are procured either by voluntary eye donations or through the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP). The objective of HCRP is to encourage potential eye donations from hospital deaths by utilising a combined method of motivation and grief counselling. Aim: To find the possibility of cornea retrieval in the district hospital of Tumakuru, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed the number of hospital deaths at district hospital, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India, between January 2016 and December 2016. The study was conducted at the same hospital from May 2017 to July 2017. Patient demographics, systemic illnesses, treatment received, and cause of death were obtained from the 757 medical records. Analysis was done for potential corneal donors as per the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) guidelines. Results: The total number of deaths was 679, which included 375 (55.23%) males and 304 (44.77%) females with maximum death in age group 71-80 years. Of the total deaths, those between 3 and 40 years of age were 196 (28.86%). After excluding the contraindications of cornea retrieval as per NPCB guidelines, 1016 corneas could have been retrieved out of 508 (74.8%) deceased. Conclusion: Hospital cornea retrieval programme can immensely contribute to fill the deficiency of donor corneal tissue. The present study concluded that upto 74.8% of corneas could have been potentially retrieved and indicates a vast potential to reduce the deficit of corneal tissues.
Forest Nursery Operations and Knowledge of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Four Forest Districts of the Ashanti Region of Ghana
Authors: Cobbinah P. , Abengmeneng C. S.
Published: February 2022

Nursery establishment for healthy seedlings is an integral part of afforestation and reforestation projects. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are amid the destructive pathogens that greatly threaten forest nurseries. This study assesses forest nursery operations and knowledge of  PPNs of four forest districts of Ashanti region of Ghana, namely Juaso, Mankranso, Offinso, and Nkawie. Respondents comprised only forestry staff involved in managing forest nurseries. A Structured and semi-structured interview schedule was employed for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Descriptive statistics were used and means presented using tables and graphs. From the study, all the respondents (100%) established temporary nursery to meet seedlings demand.  Majority of the respondents (83.3%) sourced soil from abandoned refuse dump while few (16.7%) collected top soils from unfarmed sites for raising seedlings. Disease occurrence in the nursery was observed by majority (75%) of the respondents while most (66.7%) of them had no idea of the causes of the diseases observed. Greater proportion (66.7%) of the respondents moreover had no knowledge of PPNs and therefore were unaware of their damage potential. Organising seminars and workshops for nursery managers on proper operations and awareness of  PPNs to enhance their knowledge is recommended.
A Cross Sectional Study on Hypokalemia in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Faheem Muhammad , Shah Muhammad Jahangir , Younas Bilal
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Hypokalemia was found to be more common in women, those with hypertension, and those on chronic diuretic therapy.

Objectives of the Study: The main objective of the study is to analyse the hypokalemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in District Head Quarter Teaching Hospital Faisalabad during 2019 to 2020. The data was collected from 100 male and female patients with myocardial infarction. The effect of plasma potassium concentration on patient survival after a myocardial infarction is investigated. 

Results: The data was collected from 100 patients of MI. Mean age of male patients was found to be 64.12±12.34 and female patients was 46.21±10.24. There was statistically significant decrease in serum sodium and potassium levels in study group among both the ages compared to normal healthy control group. Serum sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium levels were significantly lower in the AMI patients and magnesium levels were slightly raised among cases than controls.

Conclusion: It is concluded that reduction in sodium level was assessed only in patients with AMI as compared to healthy persons. Estimation of serum electrolyte is of utmost importance for diagnosis and prognosis of AMI.
Review of Medical and Surgical Management of Chronic Anal Fissure
Authors: Madankar Nandini , Ali Saood
Published: February 2022

To determine which treatment modality has the best outcome for chronic anal fissures in terms of pain relief, fissure healing, and recurrence. The main symptoms are pain while the passage of stools is acute in primary fissures but often persists in case of longstanding fissures causing significant discomfort to the patient. The management of anal fissure has progressed immensely in the last decade due to a better understanding of its pathophysiology. The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the spasm of the internal anal sphincter, thereby reducing the anal canal pressure. The Conservative approach consists of topical nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and calcium channel blockers. It is often preferred over surgical alternatives as it is not invasive. Surgeries for chronic anal fissures include anal dilatation, posterior mid-line sphincterotomy, lateral internal sphincterotomy, fistulectomy, sphincterolysis, and advancement flap repair. This narrative review article aims to review all the existing and newer complex modalities available for the management of chronic anal fissures. Currently the initial management of fissures is pharmacological therapy with topical nitroglycerin or diltiazem or botulinum toxin A injection. The following line of treatment is surgical, which is lateral internal sphincterotomy. Non-surgical therapy often proves ineffective in providing relief and healing, frequently culminating in the recurrence of fissures. On the other hand, surgical therapy has postoperative drawbacks like intestinal incontinence, commonly gas, loose stool or rarely hard stool. There is inadequate data on the latest treatment modalities like fistulotomy, sphincterolysis, flap procedures, etc. They may be considered only when conventional therapy fails to provide relief.
A Review on the Incidence of Conjunctivitis Seen in COVID-19 Disease
Authors: Agarwal Isha , Bajpayee Neha
Published: February 2022

Conjunctivitis is a pathological problem of the eye. It can be defined as an inflammatory condition consisting of membranes and conjunctiva. It can be caused by several organisms and has several possible causes. It may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus, or protozoa and may also occur due to infection. Conjunctivitis is a prevalent issue in developing and developed countries. In layman's language, it can also progress to red-eye very commonly and, therefore, the red disease. The treatment of conjunctivitis includes no such medications since some of them are self-healing. However, some require topical steroids to relieve the inflammation—moreover, antihistaminics, mast cell stabilizers, and NSAIDs. In bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotics are given according to the causative organisms.

Since the virus outbreak started in India and the people of our country underwent several restrictions, including strict lockdowns, we people are bound to use electronic gadgets and online learning platforms, which has exceeded our screen time to several folds. This has increased the prevalence of different eye disorders causing refractive errors, vision loss, dry eye, eyes watering, etc. Even the toddlers who should ideally be put into a playschool and be physically active and kept away from any screen are bound to sit in front of their laptops for hours to learn something. Also, sometimes a patient may present with conjunctivitis as the only symptom. Therefore, this review article will shed light on the above sentences and discuss the severity.
Role of Interventional Cardiology to Understand the Basic Mechanisms Related to Coronary Atherosclerosis
Authors: Agrawal Shruti , Sawal Anupama
Published: February 2022

Interventional cardiology has aided us in recognizing coronary atherosclerosis. It has allowed establishing a connection amongst the image of the Clinique of atherosclerosis of coronary arteries with underlined science of pathology that aids to set up, in reality, the evolution of plaques of atherosclerosis. Further studies that elaborated Coronary Atherosclerosis with a better understanding have assisted us in saving from coronary atherosclerosis in the following couple of decades. In this assessment, held in a miniature spectrum, diverse and exceptional contributions made by the technology of cardiology that is interventional has permitted us the expertise of the mechanisms of pathophysiology which are better and associated with coronary atherosclerotic disease of coronary arteries has been elaborated. In addition, keep in mind the upcoming scenarios might be primarily based on present-day projections of certain aspects. Interventional strategies are also utilized to shut defects of sepsis and affected person's ducts of arteries, stent and balloon the vessels those are stenosis that artificial valves can be implanted into ducts or to aberrant pathways of conduction can be ablated. Anesthesia suppliers require intensive information on pediatric cardiac pathology and the pathophysiology it would produce responses to the agents of anesthesia and intervention that has been prepared. Victory in these ground calls for numerous evaluations, loads of plotting, and assessment with precision and high-quality crew work—coronary artery ailment. Heart disease, which is considered the most common of its types, is Coronary Artery ailments, which happen as arteries, which are answerable for providing blood to the coronary heart muscle, harden and constrict.

The peripheral disease of vessels: Peripheral disease occurs when vessels of the blood located out of the heart narrow, block, or spasm. This condition can occur in the veins or arteries. Narrowed blood vessels can occur in multiple sites in the neck, arms, abdomen, kidneys, and legs.

Heart valve disease:  Heart valve disease occurs when blood flow controlled by the valves into the heart's chambers cannot work correctly.
Suicidal Behaviours in First Episode Psychoses
Authors: Agrawal Shruti R. , Patil Pradeep S.
Published: February 2022

Background: Psychotic disorders severely affect the quality of life of many patients. Mortality is very high in such patients. Suicide risk is 12 times more in patients with psychoses than in the general population. First episode psychosis has no agreed-upon definition, but the initial years are crucial for a better prognosis of the illness. Early intervention and timely management prove beneficial in improving quality of life and reducing mortality, mainly due to suicide. Suicide risk is about 1.5 times higher in the first year of treatment.

Aims and Objectives: We aim to find out the presence of suicidal ideas and attempts in FEP and find out risk factors for suicidal ideas and attempts in FEP. The study also assesses the nature of clinical manifestations, depression, and insight with suicidal ideas, suicidal attempts, and non-suicidal self-harm in FEP.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Seventy-five indoor or outdoor patients aged 18 to 50yrs will be assessed. Tools used are sociodemographic proforma, PANSS, Addington Depression scale, Suicidality Module of MINI, and Birchwood Insight Scale.

Results and Discussion: This study’s result will help ascertain suicidal behaviors in first-episode psychosis. The study will also help identify risk factors and their role in suicide in these patients.
Aerosol Contamination in the Dental Operatory During Oral Prophylaxis: An Occupational Hazard
Authors: Inbasekaran Dipika , Ramamurthy Jaiganesh , Girija A. S. Smiline , Nambi Gopal
Published: February 2022

Aim: To investigate the level of aerosol contamination following oral prophylaxis using ultrasonic scalers at different positions in the dental operatory at different time.

Methodology: In a pre-fumigatedroom of 10m*15m scaling was performed using ultrasonic scalers along with high volume suction while maintaining all aseptic precautions. Blood agar plates were positioned at the level of patient’s chest (P1), doctor’schest (P2), assistant’s chest (P3), on the floor directly below the patients headrest (P4) and 4 feet away from the dental chair at a height 3 feet above the ground (P5) to assess aerosol contamination occurring during scaling procedure. Similarly, blood agar plates were position at P3,P4,P5 for a time interval of 15 minutes after 1 and 3 hours of the procedure respectively to assess the levels of aerosol post procedure.

All the blood agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, following which bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) was calculatedfor each plate and gram staining was performed to identify the organism present.

Results: At the time of procedure the patient was most exposed to the aerosol. At the end of 3 hours the percentage of aerosol reduction was 81 %. Gram staining showed that the streptococci were predominant organisms with a few short rods as observed on the plates obtained during the procedure, while gram positive bacilli were seen abundantly in samples obtained at the end of 3 hours.

Conclusion: The study examined the spreading characteristics of aerosol during and after scaling procedure. Even after 3 hours of completion of the procedure some amount of aerosol present in the room. Hence, the dentist must ensure proper precautionary measures to prevent air-borne nosocomial infections.
Role of Curcumin in Beta Thalassemia: A Review
Authors: Keerthana M. B. Sai , Sinduja Palati , Priyadharshini R.
Published: February 2022

Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by defective beta chains of hemoglobin which often lead to the development of anemia. These patients require periodic blood transfusions to compensate for anemia. However, these transfusions often lead to complications such as iron overload. This abnormal hemoglobin can lead to anemia and cause other medical problems. Curcumin which is a polyphenol has anti-inflammatory properties and also can increase the number of antioxidants in the body. The main aim of the study is to determine the efficiency of curcumin in the treatment of β-Thalassemia.

The administration of curcumin in the treatment of β-Thalassemia has aided to be beneficial. Curcumin also exhibited hepatoprotective properties as serum bilirubin decreased in the β-Thalassemia patients. Supplementation of curcumin is seen to improve insulin resistance, lipid profile, and systemic inflammation by reducing HOMA-IR, TG, TG/HDL ratio, and hs-CRP levels. Curcumin when used in the treatment for β-Thalassemia showed low or no side effects. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and acts as a potent antioxidant where it can neutralize the free radicals due to its chemical structure.
A Descriptive Study to Measure the Reliability of Braden Scale Score Calculated by Clinical Nurses and Evaluate Its Predictive Value for Pressure Ulcer Risk among ICU Patients
Authors: Gawade Shruti Madhukar , Lakhani Rita , Patil Yamini
Published: February 2022

The research study was done to measure the Reliability of Braden Scale Score Calculated by Clinical Nurses and evaluate its Predictive Value for PU Risk among ICU Patients. A descriptive research study design was adopted. The study was conducted at the ICUs of DY Patil Hospital, Navi Mumbai. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used. In this study samples were ICU patients (N=75) and clinical staff (N=36). The data was collected using observation and interview techniques. The data was tabulated and analyzed in terms of the study objectives. The data collection was done from ICU Patients and clinical staff. The study result shows the overall Interrater reliability conveyed by intra class correlation coefficient was 0.865 with 95% confidence interval (0.787, 0.915).

Interrater reliability expressed by intra class correlation coefficient for individual item ranged from 0.013 that is 13.00% with 95% confidence interval (-0.090, 0.140) to 0.643 with 95% confidence interval (0.176, 0.821) with the lowest value being measure from ‘sensory perception’ and ‘moisture.’ 

Although the calculated Interrater reliability coefficients for total Braden score were moderate or high in some cases several clinical differences occurred between the two groups. Due to Interrater, reliability being very low in some cases like “sensory perception” and “moisture” it is doubtful that their assessments contribute to any valid results. The calculation of intra class correlation coefficients is the most appropriate Interrater reliability estimates.
Anti-diabetic and Antioxidant Activity of Pterocarpus santalinus and Stevia Herbal Formulation
Authors: Nivedha V. M. , Priyadarshini R. , Rajeshkumar S. , Sinduja Palati
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Pterocarpus santalinus have their application in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and food industries. Stevia​ (​Stevia rebaudiana​) is a natural, non-caloric sugar substitute that is a rich source of a pharmacologically significant glycoside. Proper diet, exercise, and pharmacological interventions contribute to overcoming diabetes.

Aim: The present study aims to assess the anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity of Pterocarpus santalinus and Stevia herbal formulation.

Materials and Methods: Preparation of plant extract followed by antidiabetic and antioxidant activity.

Results: Results were tabulated and graphically analyzed using SPSS software. As the concentration increased the percentage of inhibition also increased in both antidiabetic and antioxidant activity.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that Pterocarpus santalinus and Stevia herbal formulation has antidiabetic and antioxidant activity.
Later Prehistoric house and Early Medieval buildings in Northern Scotland
Authors: MacLaren Alastair , Campbell Ewan , Cook Gordon , Hooper Janet , Wells L , Wallace Colin , Rideout Jim
Published: February 2022

Two rescue excavations at the northern edge of a rather sparsely occupied part of the interior of Caithness are reported here, Loch Shurrery (NGR: ND 043568) and Lambsdale Leans (NGR: ND 051548), lying near to one of the largest clusters of archaeological sites in the modern county. In the event, the monuments were not threatened, and survive. Because of the limited nature of the excavation at Loch Shurrery, the main value of the evidence about the hut circle relates to its structure and dating. The excavated remains represented a medium-sized oval house with a west-facing entrance. It had an off-centre hearth of rectangular construction. It was rather different in structure to the majority of the small group of such sites which have been excavated in the northern part of the Scottish mainland, as it did not appear to have an internal ring of post holes. In addition, its western entrance is not matched at the other sites, where entrance orientations are to the south, east or south-east. The wall of the Loch Shurrery house was fairly thick and the excavation suggested that it was complex, while the entrance passageway was quite long. The existence of door checks is also an unusual feature and may relate to the entrance structures of brochs and other substantial roundhouses. Two samples of charcoal from the hearth inside the hut circle were submitted for radiocarbon dating: the determinations produce calibrated ranges (at 2-sigma) of 346-4 cal BC and 341 cal BC-1 cal AD. It is likely that most of the excavated, undecorated pottery is also Iron Age, part of a broad tradition of very coarsely tempered pottery. Not-withstanding evidence of extended occupation, the whole period of construction and occupation may have occurred within the Iron Age.
White matter microstructures in Parkinson's disease with and without impulse control behaviors
Authors: Takeshige‐Amano Haruka , Hatano Taku , Kamagata Koji , Andica Christina , Uchida Wataru , Abe Masahiro , Ogawa Takashi , Shimo Yasushi , Oyama Genko , Umemura Atsushi , Ito Masanobu , Hori Masaaki , Aoki Shigeki , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: February 2022

Background

Impulse control behaviors (ICBs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are thought to be caused by an overdose of dopaminergic therapy in the relatively spared ventral striatum, or by hypersensitivity of this region to dopamine. Alterations in brain networks are now also thought to contribute to the development of ICBs.

Objective

To comprehensively assess white matter microstructures in PD patients with ICBs using advanced diffusion MRI and magnetization transfer saturation (MT‐sat) imaging.

Methods

This study included 19 PD patients with ICBs (PD‐ICBs), 18 PD patients without ICBs (PD‐nICBs), and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Indices of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), diffusion kurtosis imaging, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, and MT‐sat imaging were evaluated using tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS), regions of interest (ROIs), and tract‐specific analysis (TSA).

Results

Compared with HCs, PD‐nICBs had significant alterations in many major white matter tracts in most parameters. In contrast, PD‐ICBs had only partial changes in several parameters. Compared with PD‐ICBs, TBSS, ROI, and TSA analyses revealed that PD‐nICBs had lower axial kurtosis, myelin volume fraction, and orientation dispersion index in the uncinate fasciculus and external capsule, as well as in the retrolenticular part of the internal capsule. These are components of the reward system and the visual and emotional perception areas, respectively.

Interpretation

Myelin and axonal changes in fibers related to the reward system and visual emotional recognition might be more prominent in PD‐nICBs than in PD‐ICBs.
Low‐Cost Copper Electrode for High‐Performance Panchromatic Multiplication‐Type Organic Photodetectors with Optical Microcavity Effect
Authors: Yang Liqing , Guo Dechao , Li Ji , He Guo , Yang Dezhi , Vadim Agafonov , Ma Dongge
Published: February 2022

Low‐cost and flexible panchromatic organic photodetectors (OPDs) are one of the most promising alternatives in next‐generation wearable electronics, but they still face the formidable challenges of replacing brittle indium tin oxide electrode and suffer from low near‐infrared (NIR) photo‐response. Herein, the low‐cost metal copper (Cu) is used as a semi‐transparent anode to fabricate high‐performance panchromatic multiplication‐type OPDs. Because of the advantages of smooth surface, lower sheet resistance, and good transmittance, high‐quality optical resonant cavity forming between Cu anode and aluminum cathode greatly enhanced the weak sub‐bandgap response of intermolecular charge transfer states in NIR region, while also retaining a good response in the UV–vis region. Due to the good hole‐collecting ability, the Cu electrode is suitable for realizing the photo‐multiplication effect. Accordingly, the resulting OPDs achieve a panchromatic response ranging from the UV (300 nm) to NIR (900 nm) region. The maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) reaches 117 040% at 350 nm, and the relatively high EQE of 25 468% is realized even at 765 nm. Furthermore, a flexible OPD is successfully fabricated by using polyethylene terephthalate substrate with Cu anode to achieve the real‐time detection of human blood oxygen pulse signals.
A Si‐CdTe Composite Quantum Dots Probe with Dual‐Wavelength Emission for Sensitively Monitoring Intracellular H2O2
Authors: Zhou Jialing , Zhao Ruoxi , Du Yaqian , Liu Shikai , Li Wenting , Gai Shili , He Fei , Feng Lili , Yang Piaoping
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen peroxide is an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) that acts as a significant marker of oxidative stress in certain diseases. Owing to the autofluorescence of biological samples, H2O2 monitoring remains challenging. Here, Si‐CdTe quantum dots (QDs) are prepared as novel ratiometric fluorescent probes prepared for sensitive detection of H2O2 and glucose, the low detection limit of H2O2 and glucose is 79 and 140 nm, respectively. In this article, CdTe QDs are combined with Si QDs to reduce the cytotoxicity of CdTe. The survival rate of HeLa cells remains at 80% after incubation with the Si‐CdTe QDs at a concentration of 500 µg mL−1 for 24 h. Fluorescence extinguishes based on 488 and 514 nm channels are used as internal references to avoid environmental interference and demonstrate selective H2O2 biosensing. In addition, the probe has an excellent colocalization effect in the lysosome under the 514 nm channel, with a maximum Pearson coefficient of 0.96. The advantages of easy preparation, low toxicity, high resistance to photobleaching, and high specificity of the Si‐CdTe QDs probes provide a new and convenient means to monitor and detect changes in the endogenous intracellular H2O2 concentration and to select 514 nm lysosomal colocalization dyes.
An Electromagnetically Controllable Microrobotic Interventional System for Targeted, Real‐Time Cardiovascular Intervention
Authors: Hwang Junsun , Jeon Sungwoong , Kim Beomjoo , Kim Jin‐young , Jin Chaewon , Yeon Ara , Yi Byung‐Ju , Yoon Chang‐Hwan , Park Hun‐Jun , Pané Salvador , Nelson Bradley J. , Choi Hongsoo
Published: February 2022

Robotic magnetic manipulation systems offer a wide range of potential benefits in medical fields, such as precise and selective manipulation of magnetically responsive instruments in difficult‐to‐reach vessels and tissues. However, more preclinical/clinical studies are necessary before robotic magnetic interventional systems can be widely adopted. In this study, a clinically translatable, electromagnetically controllable microrobotic interventional system (ECMIS) that assists a physician in remotely manipulating and controlling microdiameter guidewires in real time, is reported. The ECMIS comprises a microrobotic guidewire capable of active magnetic steering under low‐strength magnetic fields, a human‐scale electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system, a biplane X‐ray imaging system, and a remote guidewire/catheter advancer unit. The proposed ECMIS demonstrates targeted real‐time cardiovascular interventions in vascular phantoms through precise and rapid control of the microrobotic guidewire under EMA. Further, the potential clinical effectiveness of the ECMIS for real‐time cardiovascular interventions is investigated through preclinical studies in coronary, iliac, and renal arteries of swine models in vivo, where the magnetic steering of the microrobotic guidewire and control of other ECMIS modules are teleoperated by operators in a separate control booth with X‐ray shielding. The proposed ECMIS can help medical physicians optimally manipulate interventional devices such as guidewires under minimal radiation exposure.
Self‐Adaptive Surface with Tunable Superamphiphobicity Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Induced Backward Transfer
Authors: Lou Kongyu , Qian Jing , Yu Xiaohan , Xia Zhaoyuan , Shen Danyang , Wang Guande , Zhao Quan‐Zhong
Published: February 2022

In recent years, a rapid advance in fabricating smart surfaces with tunable wettability have been witnessed. However, switchable superamphiphobic surface remains a great challenge today. Here, glass surfaces with tunable wetting performance between amphipathicity and amphiphobicity, “lotus effect” and “petal effect,” isotropic and anisotropic amphiphobicity are obtained by femtosecond‐laser‐induced backward transfer (LIBT) method. By printing simple patterns, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is spatial‐selectively transferred with composite micro/nano‐structures formed on the glass surfaces, ensuring a strong repellence for water and oil. Besides, the surface topography and chemistry can be finely regulated in a single‐step process without damage to the glass, which provides the feasibility of controlling the surface wettability. Herein, applications such as high precision mixing reactor, droplet volume screening micro‐device, auto‐filtering droplet channel are designed and demonstrated. Compared to other methods, the LIBT method featuring rapid, large‐area, maskless prototyping is proved to be a promising method for programmable manipulations of functional surfaces with diverse wettability.
An Ultraflexible and Transparent Graphene‐Based Wearable Sensor for Biofluid Biomarkers Detection
Authors: Huang Cong , Hao Zhuang , Wang Ziran , Wang Hao , Zhao Xuezeng , Pan Yunlu
Published: February 2022

An ultraflexible and transparent graphene‐based field‐effect transistors (GFET) wearable nanosensor is presented for detection of body fluid‐biomarkers. The nanosensor is functionalized with a receptor that can specifically bind with the biomarker, resulting in a detectable change in the carrier concentration of the graphene. After recovery from 100 cycles of deformations (bending at radii 175 µm, folding at 150°, and shrinking at 50%), no visible mechanical damage is observed, and electrical properties of the nanosensor are also highly consistent. L‐cysteine, associated with various diseases, is chosen as the biomarker to demonstrate the detection capability of the sensor. The nanosensor is capable of consistently and reliably detecting L‐cysteine with a limit of detection of 0.022 × 10−6 m in undiluted human sweat and 0.043 × 10−6 m in artificial tears. The sensor is fabricated from the 1 µm transparent polyethylene glycol terephthalate substrate and WO3/Au/WO3 electrode (transparency of 81%), and it can be mounted on the eyeball in tear detection without visual influence. These results demonstrate that the ultraflexible and transparent GFET wearable nanosensor can potentially be helpful in medical detection applications.
Using a modified version of photovoice in a European cross‐national study on homelessness
Authors: Gaboardi Marta , Santinello Massimo , Lenzi Michela , Disperati Francesca , Ornelas José , Shinn Marybeth
Published: February 2022

This study proposes an innovative use of a modified version of photovoice for cross‐national qualitative research that allows participants to express their ideas, experiences, and emotions about a topic through photographic language. We examine factors affecting social service providers' work on people experiencing homelessness in Europe. We highlight five advantages of using photovoice in cross‐national research: visual language, methodological flexibility, participatory data analysis, the bottom‐up process, and the promotion of social change. Moreover, we identify key stages of the process: writing a detailed protocol for the implementation and fidelity of the projects, using two levels of data analysis, and disseminating the results. This study provides lessons learned for others who may want to use photovoice in cross‐national research.