bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuevos registros de Dasypodidae (Xenarthra) del Mioceno tardío de la Provincia de La Pampa, Argentina
Authors: Esteban Graciela I. , Nasif Norma L. , Montalvo Claudia I.
Published: September 2021

Se dan a conocer nuevos registros de Dasypodidae (Xenarthra, Cingulata) para la Formación Cerro Azul en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina. El material estudiado consiste en placas aisladas de la coraza dorsal y procede de las localidades: Laguna Chillhué, Cerro de los Guanacos, Bajo Giuliani, Quehue, Naicó, Laguna Guatrache, Telén, Loventué, Cerro de la Bota y Salinas Grandes de Hidalgo, comprendidas entre los 36°-38° S and 63°-67°0. Se reconocen Chasicotatus ameghinoi, Macrochorobates scalabrinii, Zaedyus pichiy, Vetelia perforata, Doellotatus inornatus, Doellotatus chapadmalensis, Proeuphractus, Macroeuphractus morenoi, Chorobates villosissimus, y Gen. nov. "A" Scillato Yane. Los siete primeros taxones y Gen. nov. "A" Scillato Yane son citados por vez primera para esta formación. Se constata la presencia de una probable nueva especie de Proeuphractus. La Formación Cerro Azul es referida al Huayqueriense (Miocene tardío) sobre la base de diferentes grupos de mamíferos fósiles. En este marco, el registro de Chasicotatus ameghinoi es el más moderno para el taxón, mientras que los de Zaedyus pichiy, Doellotatus inornatus, Doellotatus chapadmafensis y Gen. nov. "A" Scillato Yane extienden la antigüedad de estos dasipódidos hasta el Huayqueriense.
Historia de la paleornitología en España a traves de los documentos científicos
Authors: Sánchez Marco Antonio , Sastre Páez Isabel
Published: September 2021

El primer documento publicado donde se da cuenta de un hallazgo de restos fósiles de aves en España es obra de E. Harlé. La identificaci6n de estos fósiles, hallados en la Bora Gran, se debió a A. Milne-Edwards, naturalista y fundador de los estudios paleornitológicos. Un artículo de M. de Olavarría fechado en 1898, acerca del hallazgo de un huevo en el yacimiento mioceno de Cevico de la Torre, es el primer trabajo de un español sobre restos de aves del pasado.
Después de esto, quizá lo más relevante sea la identificaci6n que hace E.T. Newton hacia 1914 de los abundantes restos fósiles del yacimiento cuaternario de El Castillo -publicado en 1984-, el estudio de D.M.A. Bate del depósito, así mismo de edad cuaternaria, de Devil's Tower en 1928 y las descripciones de L. Navas sobre fósiles de la localidad miocena de Libros en 1922. C. Gaillard, paleornitólogo del Museo de Historia Natural de Lyon estudió las aves de varios yacimientos paleolíticos vascos en los años veinte y treinta.
Validez de Potamides munieri Larrazet, 1894 (Gasterópodo del Mioceno de Burgos)
Authors: Calzada Sebastián , De Porta Jaime , Truyols Jaime
Published: September 2021

En 1894 Larrazet describió como nuevas especies Potamides gaudryi y Potamides munieri. Ambas procedían del Mioceno de Castrillo del Val (Provincia de Burgos), depresión del Duero. Royo Gómez (1925) las considero como sinónimas de Potamides tricinctus. P. tricinctus es la especie tipo del subgenero Prychopotamides, caracterizado por tener un pliegue columelar. Sin embargo, las especies de Potamides descritas por Larrazet no poseen pliegue columelar. La existencia de formas de transición entre P. gaudryi y P. munieri nos lleva a reunir ambas en una sola especie, P. munieri. Todo ello se expresa al modo de una revisión sistemática.
La paleodiversificación: algunas dificultades para su estudio
Authors: Gayet Mireille , Babin Claude
Published: September 2021

Dos ejemplos muy diferentes, invertebrados (moluscos bivalvos) y vertebrados (Osteichthyes, Cladistia Polypteriformes), de ambientes muy distintos (marinas y de aguas dulces) y que se diversificaron en momentos muy distantes (Ordovícico Inferior-Media y Cretácico Superior) permiten plantear algunos de los problemas encontrados en la detección de los factores inductores y en la comprensión de las modalidades de paleodiversificación. Los interrogantes son ¿Cuando, dónde y cómo se han producido las paleodiversificaciones? Establecer el papel de los paleoambientes y evidenciar las innovaciones clave constituyen dificultades importantes. El carácter al parecer súbito de estas radiaciones no concuerda totalmente con el gradualismo del modelo darwiniano clásico
La fauna del yacimiento turoliense de Tariego de Cerrato (Palencia, Castilla-León)
Authors: Pérez Benigno , Amezua Lara , De Miguel Isabel , Morales Jorge
Published: September 2021

En el presente trabajo se presenta la fauna fósil recuperada en las campanas realizadas en los años 1995 y 1997 en el yacimiento de Tariego de Cerrato (Palencia, Cuenca del Duero). Este yacimiento se encuentra dentro de la U.T.S. 4 de Mediavilla y Dabrio (1988). Dicha fauna permitió datar con precisión los niveles en los que se encuentra como Turoliense superior.
De las características tafonómicas de los restos se desprende que su concentración es debida a un transporte de origen hidrodinámico.
RISK MANAGEMENT AS A PART OF THE INTERNAL SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL CONTROLS – PRACTICE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF SERBIA
Authors: Stamatović Milan , Maksimović Snežana , Sućeska Azra
Published: September 2021

The opting for the European integration process, the Republic of Serbia is obliged, through pre-accession negotiations, to ensure the construction of an effective financial management and control system. In this way, public administration reform is supported through an innovative approach to governance that implies efficiency, effectiveness, economy and transparency in the use of public funds, the creation of a management culture based on effective risk relief mechanisms and the prerequisites for achieving the set business goals. The aim of the paper is to look at the interaction of proactive risk management as a component of financial management and control, through the prism of setting goals and assessing risks related to those goals, within the categories related to business, reporting and compliance with laws and regulations. The initial phase of the research is the assessment of the current state of internal control mechanisms and the established risk management system based on the SAI audit reports and the Report on the established financial management and control of the Central Harmonization Unit of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia. Research problems in empirical research are expressed by a series of questions to which selected respondents from the RS public administration gave answers, which relate to the component of risk assessment in achieving goals in relation to business, reporting and compliance with laws and regulations. To determine the measure of the connection between the formalization of the risk management process and the quality of goal and risk management, Spearman ‘s rank correlation was used as a measure of connection Result of the analysis provide guidance for overcoming key barriers and recommendations for improving the quality of management, through formalizing the risk management process, in order to achieve the set goals.
THE ROLE OF INTERNAL AUDIT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CYBER CRIME
Authors: Todorović Zdravko , Todorović Boris , Tomaš Darko
Published: September 2021

The internet is constantly changing the way we live and conduct business. Global business surroundings impose all organizations across to have a secure digital infrastructure for fighting against cybercrime. Cyber crime is on the raise in this decade. Cyber crime is a criminal activity that is focused against compromising security of information systems in enterprises, in order to acquire certain profits, or to incur damage, theft or loss. Types of cyber crime include theft, evasion, or using information in order to unlawfully obtain profits from them. This paper will present certain information about cyber crime and most common types of it. According to international standards for internal audits, internal auditors are authorized for fight against fraud, which means authorization for fight against cyber crime. Main purpose of this paper is to find model for organizing internal audit for purpose of fighting cyber crime. Therefore, it is necessary to determine: internal audit standards that your organization must adhere to in fight against cybercrime, identify security requirements for standards, determine the goals, risks and security policy of the organization, raise employee awareness of the dangers of cybercrime, involve top management in the orbit against cybercrime, conduct employee training on data security and the like. Cyber security is basically about managing future risk, and requires insight into current and future vulnerabilities and how to prevent or reduce them, the likelihood of threats and costs associated with potential outcomes, and how to mitigate them. Internal auditors must be aware of impending regulatory changes based on IIA standards (The International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing) related to computer security. Internal auditors should understand the impact of cyber threats on the organization. In particular, they should include this in their internal audit plan based on the risk of cybercrime. Internal auditors should have a strong partnership with the CIO (Chief Information Officer) and CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), for the sake of a trusted advisor in the fight against cybercrime. Internal auditors should provide an independent overview of the cyber security strategy. Modal will be based on COSO (The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s) Internal Control — Integrated Framework and will feature five core principles: 1) creating control environment for fighting against cyber crime, 2) risk assessment for cyber crime, 3) projecting and implementing activities for fighting against cyber crime, and 5) monitoring activities. Research results will show new scientific facts and knowledge about methods for fighting cyber crime worldwide. Managers and internal auditors will have practical benefit from research results for implementing cyber crime prevention programs.
MODELING CRITERIA FOR SERVICES OF GENERAL INTEREST ORGANIZED BY TRAIN OPERATORS
Authors: Abramović Borna , Humić Renato
Published: September 2021

The definition and conclusion of the Public service obligation contract for rail (PSO contract) is between the national passenger railway carrier and the competent transport Ministry. The PSO contract represents an optimal mode of transport arrangement as a unified and unique traffic model with traffic criteria such as timetable, type of vehicle, quality requirements, user behaviour and expected revenues. To conclude a PSO contract, it is necessary to provide a methodology for modelling criteria for transport services of general interest respectively for making the role of a train operator sustainable and satisfying for public needs. AHP method was used for criteria valuation among twenty experts. Encouraging rail passengers transport based on users’ requirements leads to a different way of conducting business operations for the carrier. Research results based on experts’ opinions shows that most important sub-criteria for providing quality transport service is a state of infrastructure while evaluating timetable parameters. To keep the service on a satisfactory level, experts consider that diesel train costs and maintenance costs needs to be reduced. Experts also concluded that quality requirements sub-criteria such as availability and safety should be provided before and during the journey. Offering numerous and useful amenities at stations such as bars, kiosks and ticket offices will help to retain service users. Last and the most important expert’s opinion conclusion is that public passenger transport is depending on state funds and budget. The current practice of awarding PSO contracts is based solely on the scoring of tenders received through published tenders and therefore requires a model that will include all relevant parameters and their corresponding sub-criteria.
RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS OF CRISIS BY ANALYZING FINANCIAL RESULTS – CASE OF ELEKTROPROMET d.d.
Authors: Šamu Karlo , Hunjet Anica
Published: September 2021

Up until 2010 Elektropromet d.d. was one of Croatian market leaders that supplied major Government companies, such as HEP Group (Croatian national energy company) or Croatian railways. Company had more than 600 employees in the 90’s, working in 4 divisions. Global and local market changes led to revenue decrease and questionable profitability. Company structure did not change in time, and market share was lost, bit by bit, although there was time for changes. The company did not have a quality control system and they did not recognize the symptoms of crisis. Those symptoms of crisis were visible from financial results in period from 2003 up to 2006 and the company prepared for restructuring in 2007 and 2008. Since the restructuring program was not applied, the company continued with the same business model. Results in that period, and the following years without making any changes led to decreasing business trend with negative result. The goal of this study is to analyze financial results from 2003 up to 2013 and confirm the hypothesis that crisis symptoms in Elektropromet d.d. were visible from financial result analysis. Financial results were measured and observed using different profitability formulas providing insight for crisis symptoms and providing answers on how to prevail business crisis. The results were analized using Year-over-year (YoY) result comparisons. Just by using YoY comparisons it was clear that the results are not profitable. Financial results from 2003 and 2004 provide an insight to early crisis. Profit was not generated from commercial business and regular sales, because expenses were higher than revenue and earnings. Calculating EBIT provides an answer on how profit was made and that early crisis symptoms were visible. After that it would be easy to define crisis stage and work on a model and define phases how to prevail the crisis. Management did not decide to recognize the crisis in that early period and the company continued with the same business model for next few years. The restructuring was prepared for 2007 and 2008, but it came too late and was canceled in early stage. Since Elektropromet is a stock corporation it was up to supervisory board to warn the shareholders that the board members are not leading the company in the right direction. The result and conclusion should assist corporations, medium size and small companies to recognize crisis symptoms and help them use financial management and controlling experience to avoid possible revenue and profitability loss.
Malformaciones esqueléticas y alteraciones del crecimiento en fetos de ratas con diabetes moderada
Authors: Gómez Tahiry , García Milagros , Bequer Leticia , Freire Cindy , Vila María Aimee , Clapés Sonia
Published: September 2021

Introducción. En la actualidad, la diabetes mellitus representa una de las condiciones médicas que complica el embarazo con mayor frecuencia, lo que afecta el crecimiento y el desarrollo fetal.Objetivo. Determinar las malformaciones esqueléticas y alteraciones en el crecimiento en fetos de ratas Wistar diabéticas.Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó un modelo de diabetes moderada inducida neonatalmente con estreptozotocina (STZ 100 mg/kg de peso corporal, por vía subcutánea) en ratas Wistar. En la adultez, las ratas sanas y diabéticas se aparearon con machos sanos de la misma edad y cepa. El día 20 de gestación se practicó la cesárea bajo anestesia. Se extrajeron los fetos, se pesaron y clasificaron como pequeños (PAG), adecuados (AEG) o grandes (GEG) para la edad gestacional. Los fetos seleccionados se procesaron para el análisis de anomalías esqueléticas y sitios de osificación.Resultados. En la descendencia de las ratas diabéticas, hubo un mayor porcentaje de fetos clasificados como pequeños o grandes y un menor porcentaje de fetos con peso adecuado; el promedio de peso fetal fue menor y había menos sitios de osificación. Se observaron alteraciones en la osificación de cráneo, esternón, columna vertebral, costillas y extremidades anteriores y posteriores; y también, hubo una correlación directa entre el peso y el grado de osificación fetal. Hubo malformaciones congénitas asociadas con la fusión y bifurcación de las costillas, así como cambios indicativos de hidrocefalia, como la forma de domo del cráneo, una amplia distancia entre los parietales y la anchura de las fontanelas anterior y posterior.Conclusión. La diabetes moderada durante la gestación altera el crecimiento y el desarrollo fetal, que se ve afectado tanto por macrosomía y la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino como por malformaciones esqueléticas.
¿Carcinoma de mama o carcinoma de glándula sudorípara? Presentación de dos casos y análisis de la literatura
Authors: Luján Mauricio , Varela Gabriel , Morán Diego
Published: September 2021

El carcinoma apocrino primario de glándula sudorípara es una neoplasia con una muy baja incidencia, que puede representar un reto diagnóstico, clínico e histológico, y un reto terapéutico local, adyuvante y de la enfermedad avanzada. La edad media de los pacientes es de alrededor de 67 años, y no se ha observado preferencia según el sexo. Se presenta con mayor frecuencia en las axilas y en el cuero cabelludo. Se caracteriza clínicamente por un lento crecimiento, aunque puede progresar agresivamente, con compromiso local, ganglionar y metastásico, principalmente, pulmonar, hepático y óseo. El tratamiento recomendado –una vez establecida la histología– consiste en una resección local amplia con un margen claro de 1 a 2 cm y linfadenectomía regional si se detectan ganglios clínicamente positivos. El tratamiento adyuvante (radioterapia o quimioterapia) y de la enfermedad avanzada no está claramente establecido.Se presentan dos pacientes de sexo femenino con sospecha inicial de cáncer de mama, en quienes se diagnosticó finalmente un carcinoma apocrino de glándula sudorípara.
Niveles de micronutrientes en niños escolares colombianos e inseguridad alimentaria
Authors: Marín Constanza , Oliveros Henry , Villamor Eduardo , Mora Mercedes
Published: September 2021

Introducción. La mitad de los hogares colombianos padecen inseguridad alimentaria. Esta se ha asociado con malnutrición, la que, según algunos estudios, podría reflejarse en un déficit de micronutrientes en los niños, aunque los datos no son concluyentes.Objetivo. Establecer la asociación entre la inseguridad alimentaria y los niveles de hemoglobina, hierro, vitamina A, vitamina B12, folato y cinc, en escolares de Bogotá.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de corte transversal. Se aplicó la escala del Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) validada en español en una muestra de hogares de escolares de Bogotá, para establecer la prevalencia de inseguridad alimentaria. Utilizando el índice de propensión, se exploró la asociación entre la inseguridad alimentaria, el hambre grave y las concentraciones de hierro, vitamina A, folato, vitamina B12 y cinc, estimadas en muestras de suero provenientes de los escolares.Resultados. Se incluyeron 2.660 escolares. En el 76 % de los hogares había inseguridad alimentaria, de los cuales el 11,6 % se clasificaba como inseguridad alimentaria con hambre grave. La deficiencia marginal de vitamina B12 fue del 17 % y las de vitamina A y cinc, de 14 y 1,4 %, respectivamente. Aunque se encontraron niveles promedios más bajos de vitamina A (-0,009 μmol/L; IC95% -0,13 - 0,03 μmol/L), vitamina B12 (-19,57 pmol/L; IC95% -72,55 - 29,94 pmol/L) y folato (-9,25 nmol/L; IC95% -29,55 - 18,66 nmol/L) en los niños expuestos a inseguridad alimentaria con hambre grave, al compararlos con los de los no expuestos, las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas.Conclusiones. La inseguridad alimentaria con hambre grave no se asoció los valores de micronutrientes o sus deficiencias en los escolares. La escala del HFSSM mide adecuadamente la dificultad en la adquisición de alimentos por falta de recursos, pero no permite establecer una asociación con las concentraciones de micronutrientes.
Psoriasis verrugosa en un hombre con antecedentes de psoriasis en placa, reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Hernández Javier , Ruiz Ana , Mesa Carolina , Rodríguez Lina
Published: September 2021

La psoriasis verrugosa es una variante atípica y poco frecuente de la psoriasis, con pocos casos reportados en la literatura. Se caracteriza por la presencia de placas hipertróficas y verrugosas simétricas en extremidades y tronco.Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 63 años con diagnóstico de psoriasis en placa 20 años atrás, tratado con esteroide tópico y quien 10 años antes había desarrollado una placa de aspecto verrugoso en el tercio distal de la cara posterior de la pierna izquierda. Se tomó la biopsia de la lesión por sospecha de un carcinoma escamocelular (verrugoso). El estudio histopatológico mostró cambios indicativos de psoriasis verrugosa y descartó la presencia de malignidad.
Efficacy of 4% articaine vs 2% lidocaine in mandibular and maxillary block and infiltration anaesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Miglani Sanjay , Ansari Irfan , Patro Swadheena , Mohanty Ankita , Mansoori Shahnaz , Ahuja Bhoomika , Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Shetty Krishna Prasad , Saeed Musab Hamed , Luke Alexander Maniangat , Pawar Ajinkya M.
Published: September 2021

Objective

The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the performance of 4% Articaine vs. 2% Lidocaine for mandibular and maxillary block and infiltration anaesthesia in patients with irreversible pulpitis (IP).

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Open Gray were used to conduct a thorough literature search. A manual search of the reference lists of the publications found was also carried out. Two reviewers critically evaluated the papers for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data extraction was done on the selected publications. The Cochrane Collaboration Tool and the Minors checklist were used to assess the quality of the selected studies for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies, respectively. The RevMan software was used to perform a meta-analysis of the pooled data and subgroups according to the technique of anaesthetic solution delivery, as well as a sensitivity analysis (P < 0.05).

Results

A total of twenty-six papers were included in the qualitative synthesis, with twenty-two of them being included in the meta-analysis. There were fifteen studies with a low potential for bias, three with a moderate potential for bias, and seven with a high potential for bias. The combined results of the 19 trials in the tooth level unit revealed that 4% articaine had a success rate 1.37 times greater than 2% lidocaine for mandibular teeth (RR, 1.37; 95% CI [1.17–1.62]; P = 0.0002). For the maxillary buccal infiltration method, the combined results from the three trials revealed that 4% articaine resulted in a success rate 1.06 times greater than 2% lidocaine (RR, 1.06; 95% CI [0.95–1.2]; P = 0.3). Excluding subgroups with a single study in sensitivity analysis for mandibular teeth revealed a substantial improvement in the success rate of the articaine group in treating IP when compared to the lidocaine group.

Conclusion

The findings of this meta-analysis back up the claim that articaine is more effective than lidocaine in providing anaesthesia in patients with IP. PROSPERO Registration No.: CRD42020204606 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020204606).
Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Cellulase Produced by Bacterial Isolates from Sugarcane Waste Soil
Authors: Hassan A. U. , Jafaru R. , Mato I. B. , Kereakede E. , Galadanci A. H. , Madu A. H. , Oyong I. A. , Onuh K. Onuh , Ozojiofor U. O.
Published: September 2021

Cellulase is one of the most economically important enzyme, which aids in catalyzing cellulolysis, the decomposition of cellulose and other related polysaccharides. So the demand/importance of this enzyme in both domestic and commercial sectors cannot be over emphasized. In this research cellulase-producing bacteria were isolated from soil around sugarcane waste dumping area, which was identified to be P. fulorescens after numerous biochemical and microbiological analysis. The bacteria were then grown and used to ferment certain biomass, with the aim of using the organisms to produce the cellulase enzyme. The total protein/cellulase enzyme activity of the medium was ascertained. Optimization/characterization for maximum cellulase activity was done by varying the temperature, pH, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration, in which the optimum condition for cellulase production was ascertain to be at a temperature and pH of 40˚C and pH 7 respectively. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was carried out to determine and reconfirm the presence and molecular weight of the isolated enzyme. The estimated extrapolated molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 13.5KDa.
Bioethanol Production from Cassava Peels Inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis
Authors: Adegbehingbe Kehinde Tope , Faparusi Foluso , Adeleke Bartholomew Saanu
Published: September 2021

Aim: This study was designed to determine the bioethanol production from fermented cassava peel using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis.

Methodology: Cassava peels were collected from cassava processing sites, washed, surface sterilized, dried, milled into flour, pretreated, and fermented. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Z. mobilis suspensions were aseptically inoculated into the fermenting medium and allowed to stand for seven days. The pH, total reducing sugar, chemical composition, and bioethanol composition of the fermenting substrates were determined.

Results: A pH decrease from 5.2 to 4.1 was recorded in the sample fermented with S. cerevisiae while the least pH value of 3.8 was obtained from the sample fermented with Z. mobilis, respectively. The total reducing sugar (glucose) of fermented samples decreased from 3.4% to 1.5% (Z. mobilis) and 3.4% to 1.88% (S. cerevisiae) compared with the control sample. The chemical composition showed high protein and fat contents in the fermented samples. High percentage yield of 30% with ethanol volume of 45 mL was recovered from cassava peel inoculated with S. cerevisiae while flash point, i.e. the lowest temperature at which fuel produces enough vapor to cause ignition leading to flame generation of 24oC, was recorded for both fermented samples inoculated with S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis.

Conclusion: The ability of the bacterium and the yeast isolates exhibiting high potential for bioethanol production could be promising in various industrial processes as an alternative to fossil transportation fuel.
Neck Circumference, a Screening Tool for Obesity in Newly Pubescent Children-A Case Study
Authors: Ponmalar M. , Rajini S. , Tamilsevi V.
Published: September 2021

“Childhood Obesity and its co-morbidities is considered as a prime health hitch that lay up consideration among the public health society. Obesity and above the over weight has bagged the fifth position in the global risk for mortality. The obesity shows a very early onset in life which has laid the utmost importance in the prevention of it among the children. Neck circumference is being considered as the marker of upper body subcutaneous tissue distribution.

Aim: The main objective is to evaluate the association between neck circumference and obesity among the children.

Methodology: This is a cross sectional study conducted between the periods of august 2019 - September 2019, among 150 male + 129 female students, aged 11 to 18 years. Anthropometric markers of obesity- body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), Hip circumference (HC), waist hip ratio (WHR), neck circumference (NC) were collected. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to compute the neck circumference with other obesity indices.

Results: The mean BMI was 27.70±1.27 kg/m² and 27.72±2.12 kg/m², mean neck circumference was 35.42±2.26 cm and 32.85±1.92 in above the over weight /obesity boys + girls respectively. The hip circumference in boys was found to be greater than girls, which is higher in above the over weight /obesity students with P<0.001. Neck circumference shows a strong positive correlation with other anthropometric measures BMI, WC, HC in boys and girls (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The present study showed that the weight increase in school children and need to aware the parents.
Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Garlics (Allium sativum L.) and Onion (Alium cepa L.)
Authors: Zawawi Siti Nor Aisyah Mohd , Osman Nurul Izzati , Wahab Ibtisam Abdul , Mohsin Hannis Fadzillah
Published: September 2021

Aims: This research aims to perform the extraction of garlic samples and onion as well as to carry out qualitative phytochemical screening by using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical analyses for the detection of carbohydrates, flavonoids, and alkaloids. 

Study Design:  Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and some preliminary qualitative phytochemical tests to detect the presence of carbohydrates and reducing sugars, flavonoids,   and alkaloids   were   carried   out   to   compare   and   identify   the chemical compositions in black and white garlic as well as onion.

Place and Duration of Study: Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam. The whole study was conducted and completed in 12 months.

Methodology: Black garlic (BG) is derived from raw white garlic (WG) that is modified by treating it with highly controlled temperature and humidity. In addition to the black and white garlic powder samples, this comparative study was also performed on smoked garlic and onion. The extraction of black garlic (BG), white garlic (WG), crushed smoked garlic (CSG), and onion was performed by using ethanol and ethyl acetate. The comparative phytochemical profiling was conducted by using TLC and qualitative phytochemical analyses were done using standard methods.

Results: The presence of amino acid in the ethanolic extracts of black garlic (BG), crushed smoked garlic (CSG), and onion were detected. Ethyl acetate extracts might contain triterpene. Phytochemical screening tests showed the presence of reducing sugars and alkaloids in ethanolic extracts of black garlic (BG), while white garlic (WG) contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and a trace amount of carbohydrates. Both extracts of onion showed the presence of carbohydrate, reducing sugars and flavonoids. Meanwhile alkaloids are only detected in ethanolic extract of onion.

Conclusion: The extracts of garlics and onion samples in this study had shown appreciable presence of some important phytochemical compounds in Allium species such as amino acids, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates.
Fixed Dose Formulation Development and Evaluation of Bilastine and Montelukast Sodium Tablets
Authors: Chandra Umesh , Kumar Manish , Garg Arun , Sharma Shrestha , Gupta Pankaj
Published: September 2021

Aim: The present research work was carried out to formulate stable fixed dose combination tablets of Bilastine and Montelukast Sodium, used to treat allergic rhinitis associated with asthma and rhino-conjunctivitis on basis of pre and post post-compression parameters evaluation and drug-drug-excipients compatibility studies.

Methods: Direct compression methodology was used for tablet production and final composition of drugs and excipients was optimized by evaluating pre and post compression evaluations of blend and tablets respectively. The chemical instability and stability studies were carried out using HPLC method.

Results: The Evaluation of pre-compression parameters of batch F1 to F5 shows that as we increase the amount of sodium starch glycolate and colloidal silicon dioxide from F1 to F5, bulk density and tapped density increases slightly whereas the compressibility index and hausner’s ratio of tablets was shifted from excellent to good. Angle of repose shows excellent flow property from F3-F5. After evaluation of post-compression parameters from F1 to F5, there is no significant difference in diameter, thickness and average weight of tablets. The hardness of tablets was decreased slightly from F1 to F5 therefore, the % friability was found to be increased from F1 to F5 and disintegration time was found to be decreased from F1 to F5. Dissolution studies shows % release of Bilastine and Montelukast was increased towards F1 to F5 as the percentage of Sodium Starch Glycolate increases. The drug-drug-excipients compatibility shows that there is no physical and chemical incompatibility between the drug-drug-excipients at accelerated conditions. The stability studies show that % assay of long term and accelerated samples are within 100±2%.

Conclusion: The optimized composition found in order to scale up the production of tablets.
Expression of ITG β-1, MMP9 and Vimentin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A Real Time PCR Based Approach
Authors: Umashankar Krishnapriya , Selvaraj J. , Ramani Pratibha
Published: September 2021

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancies which accounts for 90% of oral cancer worldwide. The 5 year survival rate of OSCC is not more than 60% due to tumor metastasis and subsequent recurrence.

Aim: To compare the gene expression of ITG β-1, MMP9 and Vimentin in OSCC tissue samples and normal tissue samples and to correlate the expression levels of these molecules with the pathological grading and survival in OSCC patients. This would facilitate the understanding of EMT in OSCC progression thereby targeting this pathway for treatment of OSCC patients in near future.

Materials and Methods: 10 OSCC samples as well as normal healthy samples were collected and RNA isolation was done using TRIR kit, and then subjected to cDNA synthesis using ITG β-1, MMP9 and Vimentin primers. Real time PCR was performed using gene specific primers at 40 cycles. The results were retrieved, tabulated and analyzed.

Results: The current research results revealed that there were up regulation of mRNA expression in ITG β-1, MMP9 and Vimentin in OSCC patients than in healthy individuals. On comparison, MMP9 showed highest mRNA expression levels than ITG β-1 and Vimentin

Conclusion: Over expression of ITG B-1, MMP9, Vimentin plays a crucial role in progression of oral cancer and targeting EMT molecules could be an effective targeted approach for OSCC.
The “Silent Teacher”: Learning by teaching via writing a verbatim teaching script
Authors: Lim Kagen Y. L. , Wong Sarah Shi Hui , Lim Stephen Wee Hun
Published: September 2021

Learning by teaching others is a potent educational strategy, but its implementation is typically cumbersome. This study (N = 108) investigated “silent teaching”—writing a verbatim teaching script—as a convenient approach for independent learning, while assessing whether the teaching benefit is a production benefit. Learners studied a science text on the Doppler effect using one of three learning methods: (1) generating and studying their own notes (restudying control), (2) preparing to teach and then verbally teaching (verbal teaching), or (3) preparing to teach and then writing a verbatim teaching script (silent teaching). On a conceptual knowledge retention test 1 week later, participants who wrote teaching scripts performed as well as those who taught verbally; both teaching groups outperformed control learners. Verbal and silent teaching significantly increased social presence and elaboration to comparable extents, relative to restudying. “Silent teaching” is a promising and efficient alternative learning approach to traditional verbal teaching.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Mortality in Elderly Patients With Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Bruera Sebastian , Lei Xiudong , Pundole Xerxes , Zhao Hui , Giordano Sharon H. , Vinod Surabhi , Suarez‐Almazor Maria E.
Published: September 2021

Objective

Patients with cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may have worse outcomes than those without SLE, given their comorbidities. We examined survival in elderly women with breast cancer (BC) and SLE and hypothesized that survival would be decreased compared with women with BC but without SLE.

Methods

We identified patients with BC and SLE and patients with BC without SLE in the Texas Cancer Registry and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, linked to Medicare claims. Overall survival (OS) was estimated after matching (age and cancer stage) and in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for other cancer characteristics, treatment, and comorbidities. Two additional cohorts of women without cancer with and without SLE were also studied.

Results

We identified 494 BC SLE cases and 145,517 BC non‐SLE cases, of whom we matched 9,708. Women with SLE were less likely to receive radiation, breast conserving surgery, or endocrine therapy. The 8‐year OS estimate for women with early BC (stages 0–II) with and without SLE was 52% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 45%–59%) and 74% (95% CI 73%–75%), respectively. In the Cox multivariable model, BC and SLE had increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65, 95% CI 1.38–1.98). Women with BC and SLE also had increased risk of death compared with women with SLE but without cancer (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.05–1.92) after adjusting for SLE severity. Women with SLE and BC received less glucocorticoids, antimalarials, and immunosuppressants after cancer diagnosis than those without cancer.

Conclusion

Systemic lupus is a risk factor for increased mortality in women with early BC.
Dynamic optimal operational control for complex systems with uncertain external loop disturbances
Authors: Yin Liping , Xu Yangbo , Chen Xin , Li Tao
Published: September 2021

In this article, a two‐layer control strategy is proposed for industrial processes where loop controllers are difficult to change. The upper layer performs the determination of the target value and the dynamic adjustment of the set points, while the lower layer realizes the tracking control of loop outputs. To optimize the performance index, observers are designed to estimate those uncertain external disturbances and a new set points adjuster is designed to minimize the influence of disturbances on the overall performance. It is noted that neither the loop structure nor the loop parameters are changed in the operational control. Finally, a simulation on coke oven gas system is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
Research on Trajectory Optimization of Multilateral Thin Metal Rubber Automatic Laying Based on Virtual Fabrication Technology
Authors: Shi Linwei , Ren Zhiying , Huang Zhaohua , Shen Liangliang , Lin Youxi
Published: September 2021

Herein, an in‐depth exploration of the trajectory optimization process of multilateral thin metal rubber (MT‐MR) in laying to build a virtual fabrication model that reflects the morphology and macro‐properties of material is done. According to the MT‐MR automatic blank laying process, which is based on the iteration mechanism of a local coordinate system in global space, and dynamically coupling with the Rodrigues rotation matrix, a parametric curve model under 3D random trajectory is constructed. Based on the evaluation of the background grid projection method, the optimization of the blank forming path of MT‐MR is discussed in depth using the improved multi‐objective genetic algorithm, and a MT‐MR complex network structure model based on the path optimization laying process is constructed. The structure and performance optimization of MT‐MR is further verified by combining virtual fabrication technology and experimental means. The results show that compared with MT‐MR with traditional experience‐based trajectory laying, the component with automatic trajectory laying optimization based on an improved genetic algorithm has a more uniform and compact wire turn structure. Therefore, an in‐depth discussion of the optimization of the MT‐MR automatic laying trajectory with a special configuration is presented and some theoretical guidance for the application of this material laying process is provided.
Glucose Detection Devices and Methods Based on Metal–Organic Frameworks and Related Materials
Authors: Adeel Muhammad , Asif Kanwal , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Daniele Salvatore , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Rizzolio Flavio
Published: September 2021

Assessment of glucose concentration is important in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. Since the introduction of enzymatic glucose biosensors, scientific and technological advances in nanomaterials have led to the development of new generations of glucose sensors. This field has witnessed major developments over the last decade, as the novel nanomaterials are capable of efficiently catalyzing glucose directly (i.e., act as artificial enzymes, therefore defined nanozymes) or to entrap enzymes that are able to oxidize glucose. Among other nanomaterials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently provided a tremendous basis to construct glucose sensing devices. MOFs are large porous crystalline compounds with versatile structural and tuneable chemical properties. In addition, they possess catalytic, peroxidase‐like, and electrochemical redox activity. This review comprehensively summarizes the general characteristics of MOFs, their subtypes, and MOF composites, as well as MOF‐derived materials employed to construct electrochemical, optical, transistor, and microfluidic devices for the detection of glucose. They include enzymatic, nonenzymatic, wearable, and flexible sensing devices and methods. The review also outlines the design and synthesis of MOFs and the working principles of the different transduction‐based glucose sensors and highlights the current challenges and future perspectives.
TiO2/MXene‐Assisted LDI‐MS for Urine Metabolic Profiling in Urinary Disease
Authors: Chen Junyu , Li Yuze , Jiang Yuming , Mao Liucheng , Lai Mi , Jiang Lixia , Liu Huihui , Nie Zongxiu
Published: September 2021

Cancer remains an intractable medical problem. Rapid diagnosis and identification of cancer are critical to differentiate it from nonmalignant diseases. High‐throughput biofluid metabolic analysis has potential for cancer diagnosis. Nevertheless, the present metabolite analysis method does not meet the demand for high‐throughput screening of diseases. Herein, a high‐throughput, cost‐effective, and noninvasive urine metabolic profiling method based on TiO2/MXene‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) is presented for the efficient screening of bladder cancer (BC) and nonmalignant urinary disease. Combined with machine learning, TiO2/MXene‐assisted LDI‐MS enables high diagnostic accuracy (96.8%) for the classification of patient groups (including 47 BC and 46 ureteral calculus (UC) patients) from healthy controls (113 cases). In addition, BC patients can also be identified from noncancerous UC individuals with an accuracy of 88.3% in the independent test cohort. Furthermore, metabolite variations between BC and UC individuals are investigated based on relative quantification, and related pathways are also discussed. These results suggest that this method, based on urine metabolic patterns, provides a potential tool for rapidly distinguishing urinary diseases and it may pave the way for precision medicine.
Josephson Plasmon Resonance in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 High‐Temperature Superconductor Tunable Terahertz Metamaterials
Authors: Guo Rong , Duan Siyu , He Ze , Liang Xuelian , Niu Zihan , He Ming , Jiang Yushun , Wu Jingbo , Ji Lu , Jin Biaobing , Chen Jian , Wang Huabing , Wu Peiheng
Published: September 2021

The Josephson plasmon resonance (JPR) offers a valuable probe to investigate the superconductivity in layered cuprate superconductors. However, the coupling between free space radiation and JPR in high‐temperature superconductor (HTS) film remains challenging because the excitation of JPR demands the c‐axis oriented electric field. The subwavelength resonators in metamaterials can enhance the localized electric field, which can be utilized to resolve this difficulty. Here, a tunable terahertz (THz) metamaterial made from Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 (Tl‐2212) HTS film is developed. The spectral response of Tl‐2212 metamaterial has a tunable property at temperatures up to 90 K. The resonant excitation of Josephson plasmon in the metamaterial is observed. Simulation results indicate that the scattering of subwavelength resonators can provide the component of the z‐axis electric field for the resonant excitation. The coupling between JPR and resonance modes of metamaterials is observed and explained using coupled mode theory. The temperature dependence of JPR frequency shows accordance with the experimental results of the pure film. This work provides an avenue to excite the JPR and probe superconducting condensate in the layered superconductor. The development of Josephson plasmonic metamaterials may contribute to tunable and nonlinear THz devices.
Photocurable 3D Printing of High Toughness and Self‐Healing Hydrogels for Customized Wearable Flexible Sensors
Authors: Wu Yuchao , Zeng Yong , Chen Yizhen , Li Chao , Qiu Renhui , Liu Wendi
Published: September 2021

Currently, most customized hydrogels can only be processed via extrusion‐based 3D printing techniques, which is limited by printing efficiency and resolution. Here, a simple strategy for the rapid fabrication of customized hydrogels using a photocurable 3D printing technique is presented. This technique has been rarely used because the presence of water increases the molecular distance between the polymer chains and reduces the monomer polymerization rate, resulting in the failure of rapid solid‐liquid separation during printing. Although adding cross‐linkers to printing inks can effectively accelerate 3D cross‐linked network formation, chemical cross‐linking may result in reduced toughness and self‐healing ability of the hydrogel. Therefore, an interpenetrated‐network hydrogel based on non‐covalent interactions is designed to form physical cross‐links, affording fast solid‐liquid separation. Poly(acrylic acid (AA)‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP)) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are cross‐linked via Zn2+‐ligand coordination and hydrogen bonding; the resulting mixed AA‐NVP/CMC solution is used as the printing ink. The printed poly(AA‐NVP/CMC) hydrogel exhibited high tensile toughness (3.38 MJ m−3) and superior self‐healing ability (healed stress: 81%; healed strain: 91%). Some objects like manipulator are successfully customized by photocurable 3D printing using hydrogels with high toughness and complex structures. This high‐performance hydrogel has great potential for application in flexible wearable sensors.