bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Routine Health Information System and Associated Factors Among Health Professionals in Public Health Facilities in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mekuria Samuel , Adem Hassen Abdi , Ayele Behailu Hawulte , Musa Ibsa , Berhanie Daniel
Published: September 2021

Background: Using reliable evidence from routine health information over time is an important aid to improve the health outcome, tackling disparities, enhancing efficiency, and encouraging innovation. In Ethiopia, the utilization of routine health data for improving the performance and quality of care was not well-studied in primary and secondary health facilities. This study assessed the level of routine health information utilization and associated factors among health professionals in public health facilities of Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia.Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 randomly selected health professionals from June 10 to July 20, 2020. A self-administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 16.0. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants and binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the utilization of routine health information. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to report association and significance was declared at P-value<0.05.Results: Good utilization of routine health information among health professionals was 57.7% (95% CI: 52.6%, 62.6%). Good organizational support (AOR=3.91, 95% CI: 2.01, 7.61), the low perceived complexity of the reporting formats (AOR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.97), good self-efficacy (AOR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.25, 5.10), and good decision making autonomy (AOR=3.97, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.43) were important factors associated with good utilization of routine health information.Conclusion: Good utilization of routine health information among health professionals was low. Lack of self-confidence and empowerment of health professionals, the complexity of routine health information system format, and poor organizational support were significantly reducing the level of routine health information utilization. Therefore, improving the self-efficacy and decision-making capacity of health professionals through comprehensive training, empowerment and organizational support would be essential to increase the level of routine health information utilization.
Actuating Compact Augmented Reality Devices by Artificial Muscle
Authors: Kim Dongjin , Kim Baekgyeom , Shin Bongsu , Shin Dongwook , Lee Chang-Kun , Chung Jae-Seung , Seo Juwon , Kim Yun-Tae , Sung Geeyoung , Seo Wontaek , Kim Sunil , Hong Sunghoon , Hwang Sungwoo , Han Seungyong , Kang Daeshik , Lee Hong-Seok , Koh Je-sung
Published: September 2021

An artificial muscle actuator resolves practical engineering problems in compact wearable devices, which are limited to conventional actuators such as electromagnetic actuators. Abstracting the fundamental advantages of an artificial muscle actuator provides a small-scale, high-power actuating system for developing varifocal augmented reality (AR) glasses and naturally fit haptic gloves. Here, we design a shape memory alloy (SMA)-based lightweight and high-power artificial muscle actuator, the so-called compliant amplified SMA actuator (CASA). Despite its light weight (0.22 g), the CASA has a high power density of 1.7 kW/kg and an actuation strain of 300%. We show how CASA enables image depth control and an immersive tactile response in the form of AR glasses and haptic gloves whose thin form factor and high power density can hardly be achieved by conventional actuators.
Data Contained in Electronic Health Records Associated with Risk of Lung Cancer: A Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Brown Lamorna , Sullivan Frank , Kelsey Tom , Agrawal Utkarsh
Published: September 2021

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common and aggressive forms of cancer, resulting in a low survival and high mortality rate. To improve cancer related outcomes, high-risk subpopulations should be identified to reduce overdiagnosis of lung cancer and aid in the implementation of interventions. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have been effective in identifying cohorts and phenotyping diseases. To identify whether EHR data can be used in risk modelling for lung cancer, this review will seek to identify data features that are contained in EHRs and related to lung cancer. Methods: A search strategy was developed and then applied to MEDLINE via Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane library. The titles and abstracts of studies will be identified and screened independently by reviewers. Reviewers will read the full texts of studies that appear to meet the eligibility criteria after initial screening. Articles that meet the criteria at this stage, will have their bibliographies examined for relevant studies. Data extraction will then be performed independently by reviewers and a narrative synthesis will be carried out.Discussion: While risk factors for lung cancer have been extensively researched, there has to date been no effort to identify whether information that relates to these factors are available in EHRs and can be modelled with. As such, the results of the review will seek to broaden knowledge around the use of EHRs in lung cancer risk modelling and inform researchers of the variables that are available in EHRs.Registration: PROSPERO CRD42021246781, Registered on 26/04/21.
Experimental and numerical evaluation on debonding of fully grouted rockbolt under pull-out loading
Authors: Yu Shuisheng , Zhu Wancheng , Niu Leilei
Published: September 2021

The axial loading in rockbolts changes due to stress redistribution and rheology in the country rock mass. Such a change may lead to debonding at rockbolt to grout interface or rupture of the rockbolt. In this study, based on laboratory experiments, ultrasonic guided wave propagation in fully grouted rockbolt under different pull-out loads was investigated in order to examine the resultant debonding of rockbolt. The signals obtained from the ultrasonic monitoring during the pull-out test were processed using wavelet multi-scale analysis and frequency spectrum analysis, the signal amplitude and the amplitude ratio (Q) of low frequency to high frequency were defined to quantify the debonding of rockbolt. In addition to the laboratory test, numerical simulation on the effect of the embedment lengths on ultrasonic guided wave propagation in rockbolt was conducted by using a damage-based model, and the debonding between rockbolt and cement mortar was numerically examined. It was confirmed that the ultrasonic guided wave propagation in rockbolt was very sensitive to the debonding because of pull-out load, therefore, the critical bond length could be calculated based on the propagation of guided wave in the grouted rockbolt. In time domain, the signal amplitude in rockbolt increased with pull-out load from 0 kN to 100 kN until the completely debonding, thus quantifying the debonding under the different pull-out loads. In the frequency domain, as the Q value increased, the debonding length of rockbolt decreased exponentially. The numerical results confirmed that the guided wave propagation in the fully grouted rockbolt was effective in detecting and quantifying the debonding of rockbolt under pull-out load.
Influence of Serum Biochemistry on Bone and Kidney Phenotypes in Subjects With Symptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Banerjee Mainak , Ahamed Jan , Chowdhury Subhankar , Mukhopadhyay Satinath
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVETo analyze the abnormalities in serum parathormone (PTH)-25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD) axis and calcium phosphate homeostasis in symptomatic PHPT patients having bone disease, nephrolithiasis and impaired renal function (IRF) at diagnosis. METHODSConsecutive adults (>18 years) with diagnosed symptomatic PHPT were enrolled in the retrospective study. Relevant clinical, biochemical and imaging parameters were recorded.RESULTSAdult patients with symptomatic PHPT were identified (N=60, age 45.2±14.4 years, 45 females). Predominant phenotypes were bone disease (osteoporosis and/or clinical fractures, n=42, 70%) and nephrolithiasis (n=24, 40%). Compared to patients with nephrolithiasis only (subgroup C, n=7) and simultaneous bone disease/nephrolithiasis (subgroup D, n=17), patients with isolated bone disease phenotype (subgroup B, n=25) had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase (AlP) and lower 25-OHD levels at presentation. Patient subgroups with nephrolithiasis had higher serum calcium levels and lower effective glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at presentation. PTH was not significantly different among these subgroups. Patients with IRF (eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, n=17) in our cohort had significantly higher serum calcium, phosphate, PTH levels and nephrolithiasis rates. Presence of nephrolithiasis, higher calcium x phosphate product (IRF: 36.2 ± 10.7 versus no IRF: 26.2 ± 5.7 mg2/dl2) and increased PTH levels were independently associated with IRF at diagnosis.CONCLUSIONSWhile PHPT patients with isolated bone disease were found to have lower 25-OHD and higher AlP levels independent of PTH levels; PTH was found to be an independent predictor of impaired renal function at diagnosis.
Protection of CAPE-pNO2 Against Chronic Myocardial Ischemia by the TGF-Β1/Galectin-3 Pathway in Vivo and in Vitro
Authors: Wan Qin , Zhang Liwen , Han Yanmin , Li Zhubo , Li Boheng
Published: September 2021

Background Although it is known that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its derivatives could ameliorate acute myocardial injury, their effects on chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI) were not reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of caffeic acid p-nitro phenethyl ester (CAPE-pNO2, a derivative of CAPE) on CMI and underlying mechanisms. Methods SD rats were subjected to high-fat-cholesterol-diet (HFCD) and vitamin D3, and the H9c2 cells were treated with LPS to establish CMI model, followed by the respective treatment with saline, CAPE or CAPE-pNO2.Results In vivo, CAPE-pNO2 could reduce serum lipid levels, and improve impaired cardiac function and morphological changes. Data of related assays indicated that CAPE-pNO2 down-regulated the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3). Besides, CAPE-pNO2 decreased collagen deposition, the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes and some related downstream proteins of Gal-3 in the CMI rats. Interestingly, the effects of CAPE-pNO2 on TGF-β1, Gal-3 and other proteins expression in lung were consistent with that in heart. In vitro, CAPE-pNO2 could attenuate the fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammation by activating TGF-β1/Gal-3 pathway in LPS-induced H9c2 cell. However, CAPE-pNO2-mediated cardioprotection can be eliminated when treated with modified citrus pectin (MCP, an inhibitor of Gal-3). And in comparison, CAPE-pNO2 presented stronger effects than CAPE.Conclusion This study indicates that CAPE-pNO2 may ameliorate CMI by suppressing fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis via the TGF-β1/Gal-3 pathway in vivo and in vitro.
How is People's Awareness of “Biodiversity” Measured ?Using Sentiment Analysis and LDA Topic Modeling in the Twitter Discourse Space from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Ohtani Shimon
Published: September 2021

The importance of biodiversity conservation is gradually being recognized worldwide, and 2020 was the final year of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets formulated at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) in 2010. Unfortunately, the majority of the targets were assessed as unachievable. While it is essential to measure public awareness of biodiversity when setting the post-2020 targets, it is also a difficult task to propose a method to do so. This study provides a diachronic exploration of the discourse on “biodiversity” from 2010 to 2020, using Twitter posts, in combination with sentiment analysis and topic modeling, which are commonly used in data science. Through the aggregation and comparison of n-grams, the visualization of eight types of emotional tendencies using the NRC emotion lexicon, the construction of topic models using Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), and the qualitative analysis of tweet texts based on these models, I was able to classify and analyze unstructured tweets in a meaningful way. The results revealed the evolution of words used with “biodiversity” on Twitter over the past decade, the emotional tendencies behind the contexts in which “biodiversity” has been used, and the approximate content of tweet texts that have constituted topics with distinctive characteristics. While the search for people's awareness through SNS analysis still has many limitations, it is undeniable that important suggestions can be obtained. In order to further refine the research method, it will be essential to improve the skills of analysts and accumulate research examples as well as to advance data science.
Individual citizens' resilience to disasters caused by floods: a case study of Belgrade
Authors: Cvetković Vladimir M. , Bošković Nemanja , Ocal Adem
Published: September 2021

Due to the increasing frequency and variety of disasters caused by floods and their effect on people, environment, material, and cultural goods, there is an unavoidable need to improve the security of citizens through innovative solutions to improve Serbian citizens' resilience to such disasters. The subject of the research is a comprehensive examination of the levels and factors that affect the level of individual resilience of the citizens of the city of Belgrade to the consequences of disasters caused by floods. By applying the quantitative research tradition, citizens' attitudes about their level of resilience and the level of resilience of society were examined. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was requested and collected online among 377 respondents during May 2020. The research results show that there are relationships between the diversity of characteristics, experiences, and levels of education with the level of individual resilience of citizens to flood disasters. The implications of the research related to the creation of preconditions for the design and implementation of various programs, strategies, and campaigns that will improve the situation in the aforementioned area.
Ecology and genomic background shape the probability of parallel adaptation to climate
Authors: Chaturvedi Samridhi , Gompert Zachariah , Feder Jeffrey , Osborne Owen , Muschick Moritz , Riesch Rüdiger , Soria-Carrasco Victor , Nosil Patrik
Published: September 2021

Evolution can repeat itself, resulting in parallel adaptations in independent lineages occupying similar environments. Moreover, parallel evolution sometimes, but not always, uses the same genes. Two main hypotheses have been put forth to explain the probability and extent of parallel evolution. First, parallel evolution is more likely when shared ecologies result in similar patterns of natural selection in different taxa. Second, parallelism is more likely when genomes are similar, because of shared standing variation and similar mutational effects in closely related genomes. Here we combine ecological, genomic, experimental, and phenotypic data with randomization tests and Bayesian modeling to quantify the degree of parallelism and study its relationship with ecology and genetics. Our results show that the probability of parallel adaptation to climate among species of Timema stick insects is shaped collectively by shared ecology and genomic background. Specifically, the probability of genetic parallelism decays with divergence in climatic (i.e., ecological) conditions and genomic similarity. Moreover, we find that climate-associated loci are likely subject to selection in a field experiment, overlap with genetic regions associated with cuticular hydrocarbon traits, and are not strongly shaped by introgression between species. Our findings shed light on when evolution is most expected to repeat itself.
The syntax and morphology of nominal modification in Ògè
Authors:   , Adenuga Priscilla Lola
Published: September 2021

This dissertation investigates several aspects of nominal modification in Ògè, an understudied language of Benue-congo spoken in Àkókó Northwest in Nigeria. The study focuses on two areas of nominal modification namely, Nominal Attributive Modifiers (NAMs) and the strategies of number marking. The discussion and analysis of NAMs in the language reveal that Ògè belongs to the group of languages which lacks adjectives as a lexical category. NAMs are nominal and they are derived from an existing lexical category namely, verbs. Predicative modifiers and NAMs have forms that are similar to the long and short forms (LF & SF) of adjectives in languages in which adjectives form an open class, for example, Russian, SerBoCroatian (BCS) and German. Based on the Minimalist program, the dissertation reveals that unlike Russian, BCS, and German in which the discrepancies between the two forms of adjectives are related to definiteness (as in the case of BCS) and Agree, the discrepancies in the two forms of modifiers in Ògè are related to the fact that Ògè lacks adjectives and resorts into the nominalization of stative verbs in order to derive attributive forms. Using the analyses of adjuncts according to Truswell (2004) and Zeijlstra (2020), the dissertation proposes that NAMs are adjuncts in a modification structure while they are heads in possessive and genitive constructions. In addition, I propose that NAMs are attributive-only modifiers which modify the NP rather than the DP. The dissertation also investigates the strategies of number marking in Ògè. Unlike languages in which number marking is obligatory in the nominal domain (Hebrew, German, English), nouns in Ògè are not always marked for number. This means that nouns in Ògè have general number. The general number nature of nouns in Ògè is like that of the nouns in modifying plural marking languages namely, Halkomelem, Korean, Yucatec Maya and Yorùbá. However, I argue that unlike the modifying plural marking languages in which the Number Phrase (NumP) is not projected, NumP is projected in the nominal spine of Ògè, claiming that NumP bears an interpretable number feature which values the uninterpretable number feature in D. Argument in support of this comes from the interpretation of the noun in the presence of òtúro (an element which translates to the plural definite interpretation of the noun). I analyze òtúro as a plural determiner which occupies the D-head in the syntax of Ògè. The dissertation argues following Alexiadou (2019) that the locus of the occurrence of the marker of plurality in the nominal spine does not depend on its interpretation as a plural morpheme, rather, the locus of the occurrence of the element that is sensitive to the plural interpretation of the noun depends on other parameters which are definiteness, specificity and animacy.
Reabilitação com prótese oculopalpebral após exenteração de órbita: relato de caso
Authors: Menezes Ana Carolina dos Santos , Stahel-Lage Luciana Ferreira , Alves Lísia Daltro Borges , Heimlich Fernanda Vieira , Matos Mônica Eliana Ribeiro , Pontes José Roberto de Menezes , Antunes Héliton Spíndola
Published: September 2021

Introdução: A ressecção cirúrgica de tumores em região de cabeça e pescoço é um tratamento eficaz, mas que implica em significativa desfiguração facial dependendo da localização da lesão. Aqueles pacientes considerados curados precisam ser reabilitados estética e funcionalmente para que possam ser reintegrados às funções sociais. A prótese maxilofacial é um artefato de baixo custo, que pode resolver essa necessidade. Relato de caso: Esse artigo relata o caso de uma paciente de 19 anos submetida à exenteração de órbita para tratamento de Tumor Fibroso Solitário Retrorbitário que, após a cirurgia e radioterapia adjuvante, foi reabilitada por meio de prótese óculopalpebral em silicone. Conclusão: O caso foi considerado um sucesso e ressalta a importância do cirurgião dentista na equipe oncológica e o positivo impacto psicológico e social da reabilitação.
Utilização de enxerto ósseo e fibrina rica em plaquetas (PRF) na Implantodontia: relato de caso
Authors: Silva Janaina Soares da , Beiriz Rejane Kelly Andrade , Raposo Mariana Josue
Published: September 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é relatar um caso clínico no qual foi instalado dois implantes com a necessidade da utilização de enxerto ósseo, sendo associado com membrana de fibrina rica em plaquetas, visando à reabilitação do paciente. Paciente gênero feminino, 55 anos, compareceu ao consultório odontológico tendo como queixa principal à ausência das coroas dos elementos dentais 36 e 37. Desta forma, foi realizada a exodontia e em seguida foi instalado na região dois implantes, do tipo Titamax Cone Morse 4,1 X 11,5 da empresa *Neodent. A mesma tinha um defeito alveolar que resultou em um volume ósseo insuficiente, por conta disso foi inserido o enxerto ósseo com osso liofilizado bovino Bio-oss granulado (Geistlich*). O tratamento obteve um excelente resultado, tendo como consequência o sucesso cirúrgico com um pós-operatório sem complicações. De acordo com o caso relatado foi observado, que a fibrina rica em plaquetas associada ao enxerto Bio-Oss® auxiliou e favoreceu no processo de reparo tecidual, contribuindo para aceleração e neoformação tecidual e óssea, fazendo assim uma reparação mais rápida do tecido, permitindo reabilitar o paciente em curto período de tempo e com biomaterial do próprio paciente.
L’apprentissage connecté des jeunes en contexte d’éducation formelle francophone
Authors: Bruillard Éric , Ghabara Khansa , Huguenin Sonia , Jolicoeur Pier-Luc , Laferrière Thérèse , Nadeau-Tremblay Sophie , Papi Cathia , Pelletier Marie-Andrée
Published: September 2021

L’apprentissage connecté est une pratique éducative croissante qui a été repérée par les délégué·e·s d’EDUsummIT2019 et qui en ont fait un thème de travail lors de leur examen des relations curriculum/pratiques pédagogiques/évaluation des apprentissages. Le présent article porte sur la manière avec laquelle le concept connected learning a été interprété et mis en œuvre dans le contexte culturel français et francophone, et il suggère que les « passages » de frontières, qui en reflètent le dynamisme, améliorent l’éducation formelle, notamment dans des cas d’élèves ou de classes défavorisées (classes rurales isolées). Cette interprétation repose sur des repères historiques ainsi que sur les notions d’agentivité, d’interaction et de connexion. L’étendue et la mise en œuvre de ce concept sont illustrées par le cas de l’école (éloignée) en réseau, une innovation qui s’adapte selon les contextes, dont celui de la COVID-19, par des allers-retours entre le local et le délocalisé. Deux interrogations en ressortent, l’une concernant la reconnaissance des apprentissages réalisés en dehors du contexte de l’éducation formelle et l’autre, la gestion de la désinformation.
Teaching and Learning with Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Highlighting the Need for Micro-Meso-Macro Alignments
Authors: Voogt Joke , Knezek Gerald
Published: September 2021

All over the world teaching and learning transitioned to forms of online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this contribution, we recognize challenges that this disruptive change brought about for teachers and learners. We reflect on these challenges, based on discussions at EDUsummIT2019 in Quebec about the theme “Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age”. Informed by theoretical conceptualization and empirical evidence we identify micro-meso-macro alignments that need to be in place to move education into the digital age: alignments for quality learning contexts, alignments in support for teachers, and alignments through partnerships.
The Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Attitudes to Fer-tility and Childbearing Scale (AFCS)
Authors: GÖRAL Sinem , ÖZKAN Sevgi , SERCEKUS Pınar , ALATAŞ Erkan
Published: September 2021

This study, a descriptive and methodological type of research, was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish adaptation of the Attitudes to Fertility and Childbearing Scale (AFCS), developed by Söderberg et al. (2015). The sample of this study consisted of 224 women who had not given birth yet and who were between the ages of 20-30. The scale is a Likert-type measuring instrument consisting of 21 items, in three dimensions. Internal consistency analyses were conducted to determine its reliability. After confirming the linguistic validity, expert opinions were obtained for the content validity. Furthermore, the Item Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and the Scale Content Validity Index (S-CVI) were used to assess its content validity. The construct validity was performed using confirmatory factor analysis. As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis carried out for the construct validity, a three-factor structure of the scale was found to have a good level of model fitness indices (RMSEA=.067, SRMR=.075, CFI=.96). As a result of the scale reliability analysis, the internal consistency coefficient was found to be .82 for the total scale and internal consistency reliability coefficients of the sub-scales were found to be .93 for the "importance of fertility for the future" sub-scale, .87 for the "childbearing as a hindrance at present" sub-scale, and .81 for the "social identity" sub-scale. AFCS is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to measure the fertility and childbearing attitudes of women in a fertile age.
Tackling the ‘death’ of brick-and-mortar clothing retailers through store atmospherics and customer experience
Authors: Angula Etuhole , Melissa Zulu Valencia
Published: September 2021

The threat of online shopping propels brick-and-mortar retailers to innovate and design their retail atmosphere to create unforgettable shopping experiences to compete effectively and retain customers. The study firstly identifies store atmospherics factors that enhance the shopping experience and secondly explores the hypothesized relationships between store atmospherics dimensions (lighting, music, layout, and employee interaction) and customer experience. Furthermore, the effect of customer experience and repurchase intention is also explored. A self-administered survey was used, and data were collected from 390 respondents who visit physical clothing stores regularly in the City of Johannesburg in South Africa. The survey results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for descriptive statistics. Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) was utilized for the path analysis. The findings reveal that only store layout, lighting, and employee interaction are essential elements in creating pleasurable customer in-store experiences (β = 0.163, p = 0.05; β = 0.207, p = 0.01; β = 0.293, p = 0.001). It is also evident that consumers perceive music to be less effective in enhancing their shopping experiences (β = 0.048, p = ns). Moreover, the results show that enriching customer experiences stimulate repeat purchases (β = 0.745, p = 0.001). The findings demonstrate that innovating the store environment should be based on shop layout, illumination, and employee contact to create appealing experiences. This study contributes to consumer and retailing services literature.
Acknowledgment This study is based on the research supported partly by the University of the Witwatersrand Chancellor’s Female Academic Leaders Fellowship.
A study on the feature separation and extraction of compound faults of bearings based on casing vibration signals
Authors: Fang Qizhi , Qiao Baodong , Yu Mingyue
Published: September 2021

The autocorrelation function is combined with wavelet transform and cyclostationary theory (WT-AF-CT) in place of threshold denoising, and meanwhile the mean power ratio (MPR) is calculated by the proposed method. Furthermore, extracted characteristic as well as calculated MPR is used to identify compound faults of rolling bearings in aero-engine based on casing vibration acceleration signal-including the ones of common rolling bearing (inner race rotates and outer race is constant) and intershaft bearing (co-rotates with outer and inner race). A comparative analysis was carried out between conventional researches (cyclostationary theory (CT) or wavelet transform combined with threshold value denoising (WT-TD)) and proposed WT-AF-CT method. Additionally, the effect of sensors installation direction for feature separation and extraction of compound faults is considered. The results indicate that the proposed WT-AF-CT method can separate and extract characteristics of compound faults exactly and identify fault types of bearings precisely, no matter sensors are installed horizontally or vertically, while CT or WT cannot.
Blasting vibration monitoring scheme and its application
Authors: Man Ke , Liu Xiaoli , Song Zhifei
Published: September 2021

According to BET project of High-level radioactive waste geological disposal, the smooth blasting parameters and the corresponding blasting vibration monitoring scheme are designed separately. Combining with the blasting vibration monitoring scheme, the blasting vibration monitoring was carried out with the blasting test simultaneously. It was found that the maximum vibration velocity was controlled within a reasonable range. Furthermore, the vibration attenuation law was obvious after analysis, which indicated that the blasting parameters design and vibration monitoring scheme were reasonable. It illuminated that the blasting parameters designed were proved to be reasonable and desirable. Moreover, the vibration reduction measurements for this project have been put forward. This study can provide the corresponding experimental data and theoretical support for the High-level radioactive waste geological disposal. The result and the theoretical knowledge could be applied to the blasting and excavation of the deep geo-engineering and the HLW geo-disposal.
Drinking water status in Nepal: an overview in the context of climate change
Authors: Sharma S. , Baidya M. , Poudel P. , Panthi S. R. , Pote-Shrestha R. R. , Ghimire A. , Pradhan S. P.
Published: September 2021

Although Nepal has made remarkable progress in the drinking water only sector from past few decades, the status of drinking water, in terms of climate change, is poorly documented and thus less known. This review aims to sum up drinking water status in climate change perspectives by reviewing available secondary data from published and gray literature. Climate change, and its impact on the drinking water sector, is undeniable. Though many policies and laws are enforced to address climate change issues, very few policies and laws have incorporated climate change-resilient WASH as a priority. It is of current need to carry out action-based research followed by eco-region wise interventions for adaptation and mitigation of impacts on WASH sector due to climate change.
Chemical deposition of iron nanoparticles (Fe0) on titanium nanowires for efficient adsorption of ciprofloxacin from water
Authors: Falyouna Omar , Maamoun Ibrahim , Bensaida Khaoula , Tahara Atsushi , Sugihara Yuji , Eljamal Osama
Published: September 2021

The development of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRs) in water was globally accelerated due to the occurrence of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water. This study aims to precipitate iron nanoparticles (Fe0) on the surface of titanium nanowires (TNWs) through a chemical process to overcome the limitations of Fe0 and efficiently remove CIP from water. TEM and XRD results confirmed the successful synthesis of Fe0 and TNWs. They also proved the successful deposition and dispersion of Fe0 on TNWs. Several (Fe0/TNW) nanocomposites were synthesised with different percentages of TNWs (5, 10, 20, 30, and 50%) to define the best TNWs ratio that will decrease the aggregation of Fe0 nanoparticles and achieve an outstanding removal efficiency of CIP. (Fe0/TNW) nanocomposite with 20% of TNW was nominated as the best nanocomposite because it demonstrated a promising performance, compared with other nanocomposites, by removing more than 67% of CIP with insignificant desorption behaviour during the treatment period (120 min). Dosage of (20%-Fe0/TNW), initial pH of CIP solution and reaction temperature were optimized through a group of batch experiments to efficiently remove CIP from water. The optimum removal of CIP was obtained by 1 g L−1 of (20%-Fe0/TNW) nanocomposite at initial pH of 7 under 35 °C.
Treatment of waste cutting fluid by coagulation-anaerobic hydrolysis (with or without cosubstrate glucose)-aeration process
Authors: Wang Zhi Rui , Yu Jing Jie , Yin Ji Xuan , Wang Shao Po , Ma Hua Ji
Published: September 2021

A coagulation-anaerobic hydrolysis-aeration process was used to treat the waste cutting fluid, which was discharged from a metalworking plant, and the operating conditions of each unit were optimized in this paper. The results showed that 9 g/L polyaluminum chloride and 0.3 g/L cationic polyacrylamide were added in the coagulation stage, the TOC was removed by 78.94% and the BOD5/COD of the waste cutting fluid increased from 0.046 to 0.312 before and after coagulation. The coagulation effluent was further treated by anaerobic hydrolysis-aeration, and the TOC removal efficiencies of the biological process and the whole chemical-biological process were 92.77% and 98.48% respectively. Adding glucose as a cosubstrate into the anaerobic hydrolysis can improve the TOC removal efficiency; when the TOC content ratio of coagulation effluent to glucose solution was 7:3, the TOC removal efficiencies of the biological process and the chemical-biological process reached 97.16% and 99.40%, and the total oil removal efficiency of the whole process reached 99.99%. The effluent quality parameters of the coagulation-anaerobic hydrolysis (with cosubstrate glucose)-aeration process met the Class C limits specified in the Wastewater Quality Standards for Discharge to Municipal Sewers (GB/T 31962-2015); that is, the effluent COD, TN, TP and total oil were below 300 mg/L, 25 mg/L, 5 mg/L and 110 mg/L, respectively, and the effluent pH was between 6.5–9.5.
Enhancing hydraulic data reliability in sewers
Authors: Brito R. S. , Almeida M. C. , Ribeiro A.
Published: September 2021

Recently, water utilities have been making considerable investments in sewers' monitoring; however, in most cases, assuring data reliability is yet a challenge. Often, hydraulic data is collected in sewers overlooking best practice aspects. Assuming confidence in data, while disregarding cautions verifications, might lead to inadequate uses of data. The paper presents a methodology aiming to narrow the gap between science and industry, regarding monitoring programs in urban drainage. A procedure to enhance hydraulic data reliability, in line with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, was developed, applied and validated, enabling a final evaluation on data and site adequacy and an overall identification of improvement opportunities. The availability of a valuable case study comprising 32 flowmeters from Portuguese utilities, in eastern Europe, presented an opportunity to create a story line, test the procedure's coherence, present it to the technical community and evaluate the constraints that utilities, in their everyday working context, are faced with. The procedure is presented in detail and a collection of examples of its application is shown. In the final evaluation, most monitoring stations' alignment with best practice requirements were either high (25%) or acceptable (44%), regarding their overall performance and compliance with both data and site adequacy. For all of them, improvement opportunities were identified.
Virtual water trade and its implications on water sustainability
Authors: Nishad Shiv Narayan , Kumar Naresh
Published: September 2021

Limited and declining water resources, increasing demand of water resources from different sectors, has posed a major challenge for maintaining water sustainability and thus overall sustainability for a populous and water-scarce country like India. Over extraction and changing climate have put additional pressure to maintain water sustainability. Therefore, there is a need for proper planning of utilization and management of water resources. Recently, virtual water trade has received much attention and become an important tool for balancing the water budget. On the other hand, virtual water trade may also adversely affect the water balance of the exporter's country as well as the economy. Analysis of the virtual water trade with its implications for water resources is missing; hence, there is a need for such analysis that will help in management of water resources. In this study an attempt is made to present a quantitative analysis of the virtual water trade and its implications for water sustainability. For this study, the rice crop is considered only due to its characteristics as rice is a major water consumer crop and water exporter crop from India.
Sediment metals adhering to biochar enhanced phosphorus adsorption in sediment capping
Authors: Gao Cheng , Fan Jie , Zhang Xujie , Gong Zhiwei , Tan Zhenyu
Published: September 2021

Metal ions in sediment are inherent Ca and Fe sources for biochar modification. In this work, the effect of Ca2+ and Fe2+ released from sediment on biochar for phosphorus adsorption was evaluated. Results showed that raw peanut shell biochar (PSB) was poor in phosphorus adsorption (0.48 mg/g); sediment-triggered biochar (S-PSB) exhibited a P adsorption capacity of 1.32 mg/g in capping reactor and maximum adsorption capacity of 10.72 mg/g in the Langmuir model. Sediment released Ca2+ of 2.2–4.1 mg/L and Fe2+/Fe3+ of 0.2–9.0 mg/L. The metals loaded onto the biochar surface in the forms of Ca-O and Fe-O, with Ca and Fe content of 1.47 and 0.29%, respectively. Sediment metals made point of zero charge (pHpzc) of biochar shifted from 5.39 to 6.46. The mechanisms of enhanced P adsorption by S-PSB were surface complexation of CaHPO4 followed by precipitation of Ca3(PO4)2 and Ca5(PO4)3(OH). Sediment metals induced the modification of biochar and improvement of P adsorption, which was feasible to overcome the shortcomings of biochar on phosphorus control in sediment capping.
Steganalysis of the methods of concealing information in graphic containers
Authors: Grachev Ya. L. , Sidorenko V. G.
Published: September 2021

Aim. Today, there is a pressing matter of protection against steganography-based attacks against information systems. These attacks present a danger as they use the most common data files – especially graphics files – as containers that deliver malicious code to a system or cause a leak of sensitive information. Developing methods of detecting such hidden information is the responsibility of a special subsection of steganography, the steganalysis. Such methods should be extensively used in computer forensics as part of security incident investigation, as well as in automated security systems with integrated modules for analyzing data files for malicious or dangerous information. An important feature of such activities is the need to examine a wide variety of elements and containing files. In particular, it is required to verify not only the colour values of the pixels in images, but their frequency characteristics as well. This raises a number of important questions associated with the best practices of applying steganalysis algorithms and making correct conclusions based on the outputs. The paper aims to briefly analyse the most important and relevant methods of steganalysis, both spatial and frequency, as well as to make conclusions regarding their performance and ways to analyse the outputs based on the test results of the software that implements such methods. Methods. The steganalysis of concealment within the least significant bits of an image’s pixels uses Pearson’s Chi-square statistical analysis, as well as the Regular-Singular method that involves signature analysis of pixel groups and analytical geometry tools for estimating the relative volume of the hidden message. The Koch-Zhao method of steganalysis is used for the purpose of detecting information embedded in the frequency-domain image representation. It also allows identifying the parameters required for extracting the hidden message. Results. A software suite was created that includes the software implementations of the analysed methods. The suite was submitted to a number of tests in order to evaluate the outputs of the examined methods. For the purpose of testing, a sample of images of various formats was compiled, in which information was embedded using a number of methods. Based on the results of the sample file analysis, conclusions were made regarding the efficiency of the analysed methods and interpretation of the outputs. Conclusion. Based on the test results, conclusions were made on the accuracy of the steganalysis methods in cases of varied size of the embedded message and methods of its concealment. The patterns identified with the help of the analysis outputs allowed defining a number of rules for translating the outputs into conclusions on the identification of the fact of detection of hidden information and estimation of its size.
Dermoprotective Effects of Saffron: A Mini Review
Authors: Rigi Hamid , Mohtashami Leila , Asnaashari Maryam , Emami Seyed A. , Tayarani-Najaran Zahra
Published: September 2021

Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae), known as saffron, is widely used as a coloring agent, food additive,
and medicinal spice. Saffron can be beneficial for treating convulsions, tumors, oxidative-related diseases, inflammation,
memory impairments, and depression. These effects are due to its chemical components like anthocyanins,
flavonoids and terpenoids. Saffron has been shown to be of benefit for treating skin diseases as a result
of its anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, depigmenting, and repairing activities. Therefore, it is used for formulating
various lotions, creams, and cosmetics emulsions, namely sunscreens, moisturizers, and anti-spot and anti-aging
products. In this review, we have presented various skin protective effects of saffron and its components.
Carbon Nanoparticles in Mongolian Medicine Alleviate Acute Gastric Ulcer
Induced by Ethanol by Regulating Fas/FasL Pathway
Authors: Chao Du , Chenchen Wang , Xiyue Zhang , Shikui Wu , Yingze Wang
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

The consumption of large amounts of ethanol can directly lead to acute
gastric mucosal bleeding, edema, and erosion, while long-term drinking has been associated with
gastric ulcers. Previous research has demonstrated that Har Gabur, a traditional Mongolian
medicine, alleviates gastric ulcers through the physical adsorption of its carbon components. It is
well known that the immune response has an important role in gastric ulceration.

Methods:

In the present study, we used an ethanol-induced injury cell and mice model to investigate
whether Har Gabur can inhibit the immune response stimulated by ethanol and identify the active
constituents of Har Gabur involved in this process.

Results:

We found that Har Gabur significantly repressed the activated Fas/FasL signal pathway
and endogenous Bax/Bcl-2 apoptosis pathway. The molecular mechanism of the protective effect
most likely involved the transcription or mRNA stability, as Har Gabur remarkably reversed the
change in mRNA level of apoptosis-related genes induced by ethanol.

Conclusion:

Har Gabur operated in a cell-state-specific manner in vivo without inducing adverse
effects in normal mice. Importantly, GO was identified as the main active ingredient of Har Gabur
for gastric ulcers.
Linalool as a Therapeutic and Medicinal Tool in Depression Treatment: A
Review
Authors: dos Santos Éverton Renan Quaresma , Maia José Guilherme S. , Fontes-Júnior Enéas Andrade , do Socorro Ferraz Maia Cristiane
Published: September 2021

:

Depression is a prevalent disease worldwide, limiting psychosocial functioning and thequality
of life. Linalool is the main constituent of some essential oils from aromatic plants, representing
about 70% of these volatile concentrates. Evidence of the linalool activity on the central
nervous system, mainly acting as an antidepressant agent, is increasingly abundant. This review
aimed to extend the knowledge of linalool's antidepressant action mechanisms, which is fundamental
for future research, intending to highlight this natural compound as a new antidepressant phytomedication.
A critical analysis is proposed here with probable hypotheses of the synergic mechanisms
that support the evidence of antidepressant effects of the linalool. The literature search has
been conducted in databases for published scientific articles before December 2020, using relevant
keywords. Several pieces of evidence point to the anticonvulsant, sedative, and anxiolytic actions.
In addition to these activities, other studies have revealed that linalool acts on the monoaminergic
and neuroendocrine systems, inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic factors, such
as BDNF, resulting in considerable advances in the knowledge of the etiology of depression. In
this context, linalool emerges as a promising bioactive compound in the therapeutic arsenal, capable
of interacting with numerous pathophysiological factors and acting on several targets. This review
claims to contribute to future studies, highlighting the gaps in the linalool knowledge, such as
its kinetics, doses, routes of administration, and multiple targets of interaction, to clarify its antidepressant
activity.
Utility of 1-(4-Substituted Aminophenyl)Ethanones in Heterocyclic Synthesis
Part (II)
Authors: Gouda Moustafa A. , Salem Mohammed A. , Helal Mohamed H. , Alzahrani Abdullah Y.A.
Published: September 2021

The improvement of new synthetic routes towards thiophene, oxazole, triazole, pyrimidine,
pyridine, quinolone, coumarin, imidazopyrimidine, pyridoimidazole and triazolo[1,5-a] pyridine
for their biological and medicinal exploration is an appealing vicinity for researchers. This review
focuses on the utility of 1-(4-substituted-aminophenyl) ethanones and their derivatives as critical
intermediates for the synthesis of these systems developed within the closing decade.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Zafari Mandana , Rad Mohammad Taha Saadati , Mohseni Fatemeh
Published: September 2021

:

A novel viral respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus
2 (SARS-COV-2), is responsible for a pandemic situation in the world. Pregnant women are
susceptible to this virus due to physiologic changes in the immunologic system. The risk of some
adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as death, stillbirth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine fetal distress,
may increase in infected pregnant women. Infected women should be isolated and investigated,
and they should admit to a designated hospital with adequate facilities and multi-disciplinary expertise
to manage them. Furthermore, the chances of adverse neonatal complications, such as small for
gestational age, large for gestational age, shortness of breath, thrombocytopenia with abnormal liver
function, rapid heart rate, vomiting, and pneumothorax, may increase in an affected neonate.
This study reviews the problems and guidelines of covid-19 in pregnancy.