bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distal-scanning common path probe for optical coherence tomography
Authors: Chen Zhengyu , He Bin , Yin Zichen , Hu Zhangwei , Shi Yejiong , Wang Chengming , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Ning , Jing Linkai , Wang Guihuai , Xue Ping
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we present a distal-scanning common path probe for optical coherence tomography (OCT) equipped with a hollow ultrasonic motor and a simple and specially designed beam-splitter. This novel probe proves to be able to effectively circumvent polarization and dispersion mismatch caused by fiber motion and is more robust to a variety of interfering factors during the imaging process, experimentally compared to a conventional noncommon path probe. Furthermore, our design counteracts the attenuation of backscattering with depth and the fall-off of the signal, resulting in a more balanced signal range and greater imaging depth. Spectral-domain OCT imaging of phantom and biological tissue is also demonstrated with a sensitivity of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB and a lateral resolution of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. This low-cost probe offers simplified system configuration and excellent robustness, and is therefore particularly suitable for clinical diagnosis as one-off medical apparatus.
Relationship between Spiritual Care Competence, Perceived Professional Benefit, and Retention Intention among Intern Nursing Students: A Correlational Study
Authors: Liu Jing , Lu Weinan , Li Dan , Fang Ting , Zhang Yiying , Li Yanjia , Zeng Xiaoying , Wu Jue , Feng Yu , Zhang Limei , Hu Yanli
Published: December 2023

Aims. We aimed to investigate nursing students’ spiritual care competence, perceived professional benefit, and retention intention and to analyze the relationship among these variables. Background. Nurse shortages are a global issue, and intern nursing students’ willingness to remain in the nursing profession is important. Spiritual care can reduce patients’ depression and improve their quality of life. Implementing spiritual care can help individuals have satisfying experiences. Perceived professional benefit is a positive emotional experience that is important in retention intention. However, the relationship among spiritual care competence, perceived professional benefit, and retention intention remains unclear. Methods. In this cross-sectional and correlational study, convenience sampling was used to recruit 266 intern nursing students in 10 hospitals throughout China. An online questionnaire was used to assess their sociodemographic characteristics, spiritual care competence, perceived professional benefit, and retention intention. Statistical analyses included the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and bootstrap analysis. Results. Intern nursing students’ mean scores were 103.35 ± 19.00 for spiritual care competence, 72.88 ± 10.40 for perceived professional benefit, and 19.58 ± 3.37 for retention intention. Spiritual care competence was positively correlated with perceived professional benefit (r = 0.545; p<0.01) and retention intention (r = 0.149; p<0.05). Perceived professional benefit was also positively correlated with retention intention (r = 0.320; p<0.01). Bootstrap analysis showed that perceived professional benefit completely mediates the relationship between spiritual care competence and retention intention. Conclusions. We found that nursing interns had a moderate level of retention intention, and perceived professional benefit was the mediating variable between spiritual care competence and retention intention. Implications. Our study results suggest that nursing administrators and educators should improve nursing interns’ spiritual care competence and perceived professional benefit to enhance their willingness to remain in the nursing profession and alleviate nurse shortages.
Herpes Zoster after COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Dermatology Clinic
Authors: Leeyaphan Charussri , Jirawattanadon Pattriya , Bunyaratavej Sumanas , Panjapakkul Waratchaya , Hutachoke Thrit , Nanchaipruek Yanisorn , Phumariyapong Phumithep
Published: December 2023

Background. Herpes zoster (HZ) has been observed to occur after COVID-19 infection and vaccination; however, knowledge regarding the demographic data, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes of HZ is limited. Objective. To compare the demographic data, clinical manifestations, treatments, and outcomes of patients with and without HZ within 14 days of COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Methods. This prospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with cutaneous HZ was conducted at a dermatology clinic from October 2021 to January 2023. Results. Among a total of 232 patients with HZ, the median age was 62.0 years and 59.1% were female. HZ developed in 23 (9.9%) and four (1.7%) patients after COVID-19 vaccination and infection, respectively. The mean duration from vaccination and the median duration from infection to HZ onset were 5.7 and 8.5 days, respectively. The proportion of female patients was significantly higher in the group of patients with COVID-19 vaccination or infection than in those without such a history (P = 0.035). Patients who developed HZ following the recent COVID-19 infection had a median age of 42.5 years, which was lower than that of the other groups. Dissemination occurred in 8.7% of the patients after COVID-19 vaccination. HZ recurrence was reported in five cases, of which 80% had been vaccinated or infected with COVID-19 during the previous 21 days. All patients had similar durations of antiviral treatment, crust-off time, and duration of neuralgia. Conclusions. HZ after COVID-19 vaccination is more frequently observed in females, while HZ after COVID-19 infection tends to occur in younger patients. Disseminated HZ is more common in patients recently vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination or infection may trigger recurrent HZ infection.
Stability Results for Nonlinear Implicit ϑ-Caputo Fractional Differential Equations with Fractional Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Kaddoura Issam , Awad Yahia
Published: December 2023

This article examines the necessary conditions for the unique existence of solutions to nonlinear implicit ϑ-Caputo fractional differential equations accompanied by fractional order integral boundary conditions. The analysis draws upon Banach’s contraction principle and Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem. Furthermore, the circumstances leading to the attainment of Ulam–Hyers–Rassias forms of stability are established. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the derived findings.
Quantitative Analysis of Favipiravir by HPLC: Development and Validation
Authors: Qurt Moammal , Eshtayyeh Rania , Naseef Hani , Rabba Abdullah , Abukhalil Abdallah Damin , Malkieh Numan , Kharouf Maher
Published: December 2023

Favipiravir is a broad-spectrum oral antiviral agent and has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 infection cases. It inhibits a protein known as RNA polymerase, which transcribes and replicates the viral RNA genome, causing the spread of the infection. The current study aimed to develop and validate a new analytical method utilizing HPLC in accordance with international requirements (ICH and FDA). The chromatographic conditions used to achieve good resolution and reproducibility were a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid buffer in the ratio of 60 : 40 v/v as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the wavelength (λ) was determined at 250 nm, and a retention time was approximately 3 minutes for favipiravir. The HPLC analysis was performed on the Dionex 300 system equipped with a Phenomenex C8 (250 cm 4.6 mm) 5 μm column. The total runtime was 6.0 min. The findings indicated that the method had been validated satisfactorily. Across the concentration range of 0.10–0.75 mg/ml, the calibration curve revealed a linear relationship. The accuracy of the current method was to be 99.2%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.004 and 0.013 ppm, respectively. The standard and sample solution repeatability tests revealed that the procedure was precise and within acceptable ranges. The RSD% for the determination of precision was <2%. The results for robustness and solution stability were within acceptable limits. Finally, the new method provided an excellent result for all analytical method validation parameters and met the acceptance criteria. In addition, the new approach has a short run time and a retention time of around 4 minutes.
Propuesta de Roles y Responsabilidades para una Adecuada Gestión de Riesgos en el Sector Público en Chile. Caso de Análisis: Ministerio de Justicia y Servicios Dependientes
Authors: Molina Sepúlveda Macarena , Vergara Rojas Paulina
Published: December 2023

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo tomar conocimiento de los roles y responsabilidades de quienes participan en la gestión de riesgos y controles en el Sector Público en Chile y determinar la brecha existente entre lo que propone el Modelo de las Tres Líneas de Defensa y lo que existe en la realidad. Producto de esta investigación se determinó que ciertamente existe una brecha, motivo por el cual se desarrolló una propuesta de roles y responsabilidades para una adecuada gestión de riegos en el sector público en Chile.
Propuesta de una Metodología para la Gestión de Riesgos en las Universidades Estatales Chilenas
Authors: Hidalgo Canales Danis , Vásquez Lazo Patricio
Published: December 2023

La gestión de riesgos en toda organización propende a fortalecer el cumplimiento de los objetivos misionales, circunscritos en la planificación estratégica. Las universidades estatales chilenas, a través de su proyecto educativo que se informa a través de su páginas web, da a conocer a la comunidad en general aspectos como su misión, visión, su objetivos estratégicos, sus principales lineamientos y actividades a cumplir en el mediano plazo, como proyectos educacionales que propendan fortalecer y atesorar la educación superior, lo cual no está ajeno a eventos que pudieran afectar potencialmente su cumplimiento. Considerando la información obtenida en el diagnóstico realizado en una investigación, se concluye en la necesidad de recomendar a las universidades estales chilenas, fortalecer las iniciativas existentes en lo relativo a la gestión de riesgos, desarrollar instancias de manera sistemática y estructurada, a través de una Propuesta. El objetivo de dicha propuesta es proveer una metodología para la gestión de riesgos de carácter general, que contribuya al mejoramiento de la gestión institucional universitaria y sirva de guía para evaluar los aspectos generales a cumplir en su etapa de inicio e implementación de un proceso de gestión de riesgos según Norma chilena ISO 31.000: 2012.
Bio-organic approach for monitoring the Plant growth for Sustainable agriculture
Authors: Narula Gita Batra , Soni Kiran , Vadakan Alka B , Sharma Shweta , Notnani Prerna , Ghai Nancy , Gandhi Kanika
Published: December 2023

Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining life and driving the economy of India. The idea of sustainable agriculture is a holistic approach to meet the demands of food supply while protecting our environment. Through various sources, it has been found out that the country is running out of the main reservoirs of water to irrigate the fields. The present study investigated the possibility to prepare different natural hydrogels using Chia seeds, Flax seed, Gond katira, Arrowroot powder, Tapioca, Agar-agar, Corn starch, Gelatin, Aloe vera, and their comparison with a synthetic hydrogel used in sanitary napkins. On successful formation of natural hydrogels and getting valuable results in their water holding capacity, the work continued to test their potential on growth and development of seeds of two plants: Moong beans (Vigna radiata) and Fenugreek (Trigonella sp.) along with bio-organic fertilizers prepared from onion, garlic and banana respectively. Seeds were sown in soil less media (Coco-coir) and the study of various parameters like phytotoxicity test, seed germination, water consumption, number of leaves, root and shoot length indicated promising results in the establishment and healthy growth of the seedlings. Use of natural biodegradable hydrogels therefore may prove as an easy, low cost and eco-friendly way to establish the seedling development and subsequent productivity at the commercial level under conditions of water scarcity for sustainable agriculture.
The efficacy of Acorus calamus L. crude extract formulated in bentonite nanoparticles against Crocidolomia pavonana (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)
Authors: Purwatiningsih  , Indarti Dwi
Published: December 2023

The prospect of A. calamus extract to be botanical insecticides to control the insect pests is very promising. The insect control properties of the A. calamus are predominantly to have β-asarone, saponin and flavonoid. However, there are some factors limiting their efficacy. Short release rate at the point contact, the inherent volatility and vulnerability to oxidation and ultra-violet light are causing phytochemical changes during the application. Thus developing nanotechnology to increase their efficacy studied in this research. To develop the plant extract in nanoformulation, experiment on adsorption and desoption capacity were carried out with Acorus extract treated bentonite substrate analysed by GC techniques. In addition, to investigate the effectiveness of the plant extract treated bentonite were evaluated on Crocidolomia pavonana. Third instar larvae were used in the evaluation of antifeedant effect by using no choice methods. The results showed that Bentonite nanoparticles was effective in controlling the release of a bioactive element. Purifed clay bentonite for getting Na-bentonite increased the specific surface area of material therefore increased the adsorption site on the clay layer of the material. Crude extract of A.calamus can dissolve well in combination of water and organic solvents. Desorption experiments proved that Na-bentonite released more slowly than raw clay bentonite. Purification of bentonite to Na-bentonite resulted the changing of phytochemical properties bentonite which lead to an increase in the adsorption capacity of bentonite. In term of antifeedant evaluation based on damage to cabbage leaves seedling, the least damage was observed on leaves with nanoparticle plant extract formulation. The antifeedant index of A. calamus in nanoparticles formulation showed 25% higher that untreated cabbage plant seedling. The glasshouse trial was conducted to evaluate their efficacy on cabbage seedling. However, the brown leaves or phytotoxic effect has been found by the time the extracts nano formulation has been sprayed.
AMMI and GGE biplot analysis of yield performance of wheat genotypes under irrigated, heat stress and heat drought environments
Authors: Timalsina Bibisha , Ghimire Sweksha , Roka Puja , Poudel Rashmi , Sapkota Sushma , Bhattarai Kriti , Aryal Anil , Ganesh G. C. , Neupane Kapil , Gautam Pratik , Pariyar Manoj Kumar , Sharma Surakshya , Chaudhary Eishaina , Poudel Mukti Ram , Bhandari Radhakrishna
Published: December 2023

Wheat is the third most important cereal crop in Nepal. The impact of global warming is threatening global wheat production and food security. The terminal heat stress reduces the grain quality of wheat. However, the drought is affecting more than 15% of global wheat productivity. To find out the stable and high- yielding wheat genotype the experiment was carried out in Rupandehi, Nepal with twenty genotypes under three different environmental conditions namely heat drought, heat stress and irrigated in an alpha lattice design with two replications in each environment. The AMMI (Additive mean effect multiplicative interaction) biplot analysis shows differences in 20 different genotypes in terms of yield and stability. The analysis of variance model showed the share of GE (genotype and environment) interaction in the variation in grain yield of twenty wheat genotypes. The grain yield of genotype varied significantly with environmental impact (p ). The AMMI stability value (ASV) examined NL1387 as the most stable line. The tested environments were discriminative for genotype and showed negative correlation between them. The GGE biplot analysis was conducted to find out the best performing line under different environments and the stable line in diverse environments. The NL1420 was found stable genotype in all three tested environment. The NL1376 line is most ideal ranking first in the ranking biplot. The mean versus stability model indicated NL1369 and NL1376 as elite genotypes and NL 1404, BL4919 and NL1387 can be recommended as new cultivars.
Pimpinella anisum essential oil: A natural approach to amplifying fertility and reproductive well-being in the Saida Region
Authors: Ammam Abdelkader , Belmamoun Ahmed Reda , Zemour Hafidh , Ammour Fatima , Kaid M’hamed , Villemin Didier , Soufan Walid , Belhouadjeb Fathi Abdellatif
Published: December 2023

Infertility poses a significant challenge within the sheep population, hindering herd regeneration. Both rams and ewes are susceptible to infertility, prompting our objective of enhancing reproductive performance through the utilization of essential oils as a means to mitigate this issue. Essential oils have long been acknowledged for their medicinal properties and have been extensively employed in traditional medicine. Some essential oils have been reported to exert effects on male reproductive functions in both animals and humans.Pimpinella anisum, scientifically known as green anise, is a medicinal and aromatic annual plant renowned as one of the oldest medicinal herbs and widely used as a spice. In Algeria, essential oils extracted from Pimpinella anisum are consumed on a wide scale; however, their potential in enhancing ram fertility has remained unexplored.To improve the fertility of the Rembi breed sheep population, rams were randomly selected for this study. These rams underwent various experiments to evaluate their response to different concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1 mm/ram) of essential oil obtained from anise seeds using the hydro-distillation extraction method. Furthermore, the study encompassed an assessment of their key zootechnical characteristics over a one-year period.
The collections of the Istituto per l’Oriente ‘Carlo Alfonso Nallino’: A Note on Two Recently Discovered Yemeni Manuscripts
Authors: Bottini Laura
Published: December 2023

Ettore Rossi, a distinguished scholar of the past century, gathered a library specialised above all in the Turkish world, but also including some materials in Arabic characters. The entire Rossi holdings — private library, manuscripts collection, personal archive — are now housed in Rome, with the Institute for the Orient ‘Carlo Alfonso Nallino’, which acquired the bulk of these materials in 1958. A recent project for the re-inventory and physical rearrangement of the archives and book collections brought to light two Yemeni manuscripts, originally owned by Rossi, but not previously known. The current note provides brief description, opening both manuscripts to public domain and serving to supplement the catalogue, Islamic Manuscripts from the Library of the Istituto per l’Oriente Carlo Alfonso Nallino, published in 2017.
Ethno-Apophasis: An Ethnographic Theology of Thinness and Refusal
Authors: Chi Elisha
Published: December 2023

The critical onboarding of ethnography evinced by scholars in theology, religious studies and Christian ethics compellingly generates ecclesiologies and other theologies inclusive of non-academic life. Yet, in a critical reflection on methodologies in ecclesiological research, this paper questions the growing predominance of ethnography, specifically ethnographic thickness. Drawing upon the work of anthropologist Audra Simpson, this paper argues that the ethnographic turn in religious ethics and theology and religious studies misses (at best) or ignores (at worst) the epistemological violence lurking at the root of this method. By looking into practices of ethnographic thinness and refusal, this paper highlights apophasis as the best theological grounding for scholars engaging with ethnography. Ethnographic apophasis requires practitioners to heed the colonial and settler colonial realities inherent in the method of ethnography itself; ethically pushing notions of solidarity into anticolonial practice.
‘Give the Grant Money to the Youth’: From Youth Departure to Belonging in the Ethnic Church
Authors: Wu Derek , Raffety Erin
Published: December 2023

This paper uses sociological theories of religious change to explain findings from action research on intergenerational relations at two ethnic churches in the U.S. At the outset of our study, immigrant adults felt threatened that younger congregants preferred non-ethnic churches. When these churches used research funds to support youth development and outreach programs, they experienced intergenerational congregational belonging. We ask, do existing sociological theories sufficiently explain how these ethnic churches responded to the ecclesial problem of youth departure? Can we use action research to advance theories of how youth practice belonging within ethnic churches? We show how action research produced anomalous cases of intergenerational partnership that begs the integration of market-based and neo-institutional theories of religious change. We argue that future action research targeting youth ministries and civic activism in ethnic churches can explain how American religion is changing through the immigrant youth demographic.
Urbanity, Transgressive Digitality, and COVID-19: Hierarchical Cybercrime(s) and the Subaltern Nigerian Urban Youth in a Global Pandemic
Authors: Olusegun-Joseph Yomi
Published: December 2023

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, among other things, has shown how the contemporary global community is inescapably wired to a virtual existentiality for continued human relations and correspondence. This human–digital relationship however spiked an unprecedented wave of global cybercrime during the pandemic’s 2020 upsurge. Reflecting on its (trans)national/situational peculiarities, I argue that Nigerian COVID-19 cybercrime uniquely revealed a heightened feature of deviant urban-youth subculture interrogating the dominant systemic neglect of the youth in Nigeria and its link to European colonialism/contemporary Western neoliberalism. The paper proposes that redressing Nigerian cybercrime would require (among other things) concerted global efforts to reintegrate the urban-youth.
Classification Shifting and Earnings Predictability
Authors: Ha Kelly , Thomas Wayne B.
Published: December 2023

The literature measures classification shifting as the relation between unexpected core earnings and income-decreasing special items. The general view in this literature is that managers shift core expenses to special items to inflate core earnings to achieve self-motivated reporting objectives. However, an additional possibility is that classification shifting helps investors better predict future performance. We find evidence of this positive consequence of classification shifting. Our study raises the possibility that measures of classification shifting in certain settings do not reflect managers’ opportunistic reporting. Given the relatively limited evidence in the literature on the consequences of classification shifting on investors, we believe these findings need to be considered as the literature moves forward.
Do Motivated Public Servants Behave More Ethically?
Authors: Lee Don S. , Park Soonae
Published: December 2023

Understanding who behaves more ethically and how to boost one’s ethical decision making are important but relatively neglected human resource management (HRM) questions. To fill this gap, we extend recent experimental research on the role of public service motivation (PSM) in enhancing ethical behavior by leveraging a unique setting of anti-corruption reform in South Korea. Building on the difference-in-differences design in a quasi-experimental setting with more than 10,000 civil servants, gathered as part of a representative survey, we find that not only do civil servants’ higher levels of PSM lead to more ethical behavior but that their colleagues with higher levels of PSM are also perceived to be more ethical after policy implementation. As the first quasi-experimental research attempting to estimate PSM’s causal effect on ethical behavioral change, with the largest survey samples to date, our analysis has important implications regarding the greater efficacy of anti-corruption policies and the role of PSM in this context.
Benefits and Challenges of Adolescents’ Participation in Organized Activities for Mexican-origin Families
Authors: Ramos Carranza Perla , Simpkins Sandra D.
Published: December 2023

In our study, we aimed to qualitatively understand Mexican-origin parents’ perceptions of how adolescents’ participation in organized activities can contribute to benefits and challenges for families and examine whether these benefits and challenges varied depending on the parents’ level of enculturation to Mexican culture. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 Mexican-origin parents (mean age = 39.45; 47% 1st generation immigrants, 26% 1.5 generation, and 26% 2nd generation). Inductive and deductive approaches were used in multiple iterative stages of coding to determine the final themes. A cross-case analysis was conducted to compare parents’ responses based on their enculturation to Mexican culture. Parents perceived that the benefits of adolescents’ participation in organized activities were protection, family bonding, transfer of skills, and reinforcement of family ethnic culture. The challenges parents reported were exposure to unsafe situations, constraints on family resources, and family conflict. Parents with a higher enculturation to Mexican culture, more frequently reported family bonding and reinforcement of family ethnic culture as a benefit and family conflict as a challenge of activities compared to parents with a lower enculturation. Findings from our study have implications to help organized activities be culturally responsive to the Mexican-origin families and adolescents they serve.
#GoodVibesOnly: Exploring social constructionism on high-level anonymous social applications: A Case of Jodel—Ghana
Authors: Mensah Sandra A.
Published: December 2023

Several outcomes have been documented on the effect of anonymity on behaviors and norms. However, unlike similar Complete Anonymous Applications (CAPs) that have been discontinued due to their anonymous affordance and associated drawbacks, Jodel has been able to withstand the test of time since its inception. As a result, this study examines how the Jodel platform in Ghana, specifically Accra, constructs its community jointly to ensure positivity by utilizing the social construction framework. Three themes emerge from the data using iterative analysis. It was found that the community’s communal construction was primarily based on user needs, later categorized as social solidarity, which influenced the other constructions: legalism and culture. Using them as a foundation, the community upheld social order through their constructions and Jodel’s predefined affordances. Emphasizing the possibility of social order even on CAPs.
Perinatal Homicide in the United States: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Jones Brooke W. , Quick-Graham Lauren , Martin Sandra L.
Published: December 2023

This review focused on literature from the United States evaluating homicide during the perinatal period. It was completed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seventeen studies met the criteria for inclusion, including: describing prevalence and risk factors related to homicide deaths of pregnant or postpartum birthing individuals; being conducted in the United States; and being published in English 2007 or later. This review found that homicide is an important contributor to maternal mortality and is a leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially if an individual is Black and under the age of 30. Future efforts must be made to standardize data collection efforts and resolve nuanced terminology that results in interpretation challenges. The United States should examine maternal deaths through the entirety of the perinatal period and fully invest in violence prevention efforts.
“Ischemia in Upstream Neighborhood” After Plaque Modification with Intravascular Lithotripsy
Authors: Reddy A. Sharath , Premchand M. , Krishna G. Anil , Seepana Lokanath , Reddy G. Damodhar , Vaibhavi  , Prasad A. Bhavan , Hansika
Published: December 2023

Coronary artery calcification impacts outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions owing to stent under expansion causing increased risk of stent thrombosis and restenosis. Therefore, adequate calcium modification before stent placement is the key to get desired outcomes in the patients with coronary artery calcification. Many devices are available for calcium modification, which includes orbital or rotational atherectomy, cutting balloon, scoring balloon, and intravascular lithotripsy. All these techniques have inherent risks of complications, such as coronary dissection, perforation, and slow or no reflow. We report a case of intravascular lithotripsy in calcified proximal left circumflex artery (LCX) lesion in a 63-year-old female leading to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with no flow and ischemic ventricular tachycardia requiring DC cardioversion. Intravascular ultrasound from LAD revealed subintimal hematoma from ostium to mid LAD with intimal flap continuation into ostio-proximal LCX. The intimal flap in LAD has not showed any entry or exit tears which might increase the possibility of intramural hematoma shift to adjacent areas and branches leading to no reflow. Hence, cutting balloon fenestration of the intimal flap, followed by left main coronary artery bifurcation stenting was done to get a good result with flowing distal branches.
Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: two case reports
Authors: Mwamanenge Naomi A. , Mariki Haika K. , Mpayo Lucy L. , Mwipopo Ernestina E. , Mussa Fatima , Nyamuryekung’e Masawa K. , Binde Yahaya , Kiangi Said , Bokhary Zaituni , Mkony Martha , Abdallah Yaser , Manji Karim
Published: December 2023

Background

The incidence of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula is 1 out of 3000–5000 live births. Its incidence in lower middle income countries is not known. The infants usually present with excessive secretions or choking while feeding and are at risk for aspiration. The outcome of these infants in lower middle income countries is not encouraging due to delays in referral, sepsis at presentation requiring preoperative stabilization, postoperative complications such as anastomosis leaks, pneumonia, and pneumothorax.

Case presentation

We present two African babies who were term infants at age 2 days (male) and 5 days (female) with diagnosis of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. The 5-day-old infant required preoperative stabilization due to sepsis and delayed surgery with a poor postoperative outcome. The 2-day-old infant was preoperatively stable and had a good postoperative outcome. The challenges faced in management of these two cases have been highlighted.

Conclusion

Outcome of infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula in lower middle income countries is not encouraging due to delays in referral and poor postoperative healing attributed to sepsis and recurrent pneumothorax. Timely referral, preoperative condition of the infant, and timely management has shown to be a contributory factor for an improved outcome.
A dataset of soil microbial enzyme activities and nitrogen cycling functional genes in Puding County of Guizhou Province
Authors:   Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling , Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing  100101, P. R. China, LI Dandan
Published: December 2023

The karst ecosystem in southwest China is the most fragile ecological environment in China. To protect the ecological environment, the project of "Grain to Green Program" was initiated in the late 1990s for the vegetation restoration in this region. Changes in soil microbial abundance, community composition and functional activity are closely linked to soil nutrient supply and turnover, which are the critical factors influencing vegetation restoration processes. Soils were sampled from five different vegetation types at Chenqi catchment and Tianlong Mountain, and rhizosphere soils were sampled from the typical tree species at Tianlong Mountain. Through rigorous data quality control processes (including survey sampling, sample analysis, and data accuracy checks), we obtained a dataset of soil microbial enzyme activities and nitrogen cycling functional genes in different vegetation types from the karst ecosystem. This dataset consisted of one excel file with eight different sheets, which contains the data on soil microbial enzyme activities, nitrogen cycling functional gene abundance and nitrogen transformation rate, microbial living biomass, microbial residue carbon, and soil physicochemical properties along soil profile ranging from the surface to bedrock layer in various vegetation types of 2016. Furthermore, the dataset also includes the enzyme activity and physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soils from typical tree species in the primary forest in 2018. The dataset serves as valuable reference data for better understanding the microbial regulation mechanism of soil nutrient cycling in karst areas, and it is also of great practical significance for soil nutrient management in ecologically fragile regions under the background of "Grain to Green Program" policy.
Mała konstelacja pomorskich zbieraczy
Authors: Kłudkiewicz Kamila
Published: December 2023

Artykuł stanowi recenzję książki Dobromiły Rzyskiej-Laube pt. „Zbiory artystyczne polskich ziemian na Pomorzu Nadwiślańskim od końca XVIII wieku po czasy dzisiejsze” (Gdańsk 2022). Pomijając pierwszą i ostatnią partię tekstu, o charakterze odpowiednio: politycznego, demograficznego i gospodarczego wprowadzenia w problematykę regionu Pomorza (Wprowadzenie) oraz próby wyciągnięcia wniosków o charakterze ogólnym (Zakończenie), książka składa się zasadniczo z dwóch części. Pierwszą (w strukturze publikacji odpowiadają jej części I i II) stanowi analiza wybranych pomorskich, ziemiańskich kolekcji, drugą (cz. III, objętościowo dużo skromniejsza, ale wzbogacona istotnym aneksem) historia ich rozproszenia w czasie burzliwych lat wojennych i powojennych oraz próba określenia stanu ich obecnego zachowania. Taki układ tekstu sytuuje książkę na pograniczu badań nad historią kolekcjonerstwa oraz badań proweniencyjnych. Obydwie dziedziny badawcze rozwijają się w Polsce obecnie dość intensywnie, a omawiana publikacja stanowi istotne uzupełnienie naszej wiedzy o prywatnym kolekcjonerstwie przed 1939 r.
Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum – książka Kamili Kłudkiewicz o niemieckiej historii Muzeum Narodowego w Poznaniu
Authors: De Rosset Tomasz F.
Published: December 2023

Artykuł jest prezentacją i oceną książki Kamili Kłudkiewicz, Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum w Poznaniu (1904-1919). Muzeum na niemieckiej i europejskiej prowincji, Poznań: Muzeum Narodowe, 2021.
Grzech i cnota w Księdze Mądrości jako konsekwencja fundamentalnego wyboru między śmiercią a Mądrością
Authors: Zieliński Marcin
Published: December 2023

Autor Księgi Mądrości zestawia nieustannie w swoim dziele rzeczywistości przeciwstawne, aby poprzez porównanie (synkrisis) głębiej ukazać różnicę między nimi. Pierwsza część Księgi Mądrości to zestawienie postaci sprawiedliwego z bezbożnymi. Autor analizuje postawy i wybory dokonywane przez ludzi pod kątem ich konsekwencji w życiu ziemskim i po śmierci. Sprawiedliwości i cnocie sprawiedliwego przeciwstawia grzech i niemoralność bezbożnych. Postawy są związane z wolnym wyborem człowieka, ale także zdają się wynikać z pierwszego, fundamentalnego wyboru pomiędzy śmiercią a Mądrością, którego dokonują jedni i drudzy. Autor podkreśla, że właśnie ta relacja jest fundamentalna, ponieważ inspiruje do konkretnych wyborów moralnych i postaw. Przy opisywaniu fascynacji śmiercią i Mądrością pojawiają się obrazy i słownictwo sugerujące głęboki związek, relację o charakterze oblubieńczym czy pragnienie bliskości. Autor ukazuje z całą wyrazistością biegunowo odległe efekty tych relacji. Fascynacja śmiercią prowadzi do lęku, błędnego postępowania i śmierci duchowej, a oblubieńcza więź z Mądrością gwarantuje życie sprawiedliwe na ziemi oraz szczęśliwą nieśmiertelność.
Synthesis, Characterization and Eco-friendly Applications of Biodegradable Polycaprolactone-Tapioca Starch Polymeric Composite Membrane
Authors: Hegde Chitrakara , Pathak Chandni
Published: December 2023

In the pursuit of sustainable materials, this study on the synthesis and multifaceted characterization of a novel biodegradable polymeric composite membrane. The polymeric composite composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and tapioca starch (TS) was  meticulously prepared and it’s properties were systematically investigated. FTIR was employed to elucidate the structure of the  composite, while SEM facilitated the morphological examination. The biodegradability of the material was rigorously assessed through a burial method and a comparative analysis was also conducted against a commercially available facemask. The antimicrobial efficacy and the material’s suitability for water purification were also evaluated. The versatile application potential of the polymeric composite was further demonstrated through packaging tests utilizing tomatoes. The comprehensive investigated presented in this study demonstrates the advantageous sustain-ability of the PCL-TS polymer composite, hence highlighting its potential for many  environmental friendly applications.
Removal of Rhodamine B from Wastewater by Adsorption using Iron Oxide-Polymer Composite Material
Authors: Eshtursunov Davron , Inkhonova Arofat , Botirov Sunnat , Fayzullayev Yusuf , Bekchanov Davronbek , Mukhamediev Mukhtarjan
Published: December 2023

The discharge of dye-containing wastewater from textile, paper and plastic industries poses serious environmental pollution hazards. This study investigates the potential application of an ion exchange material-iron oxide composite to remove rhodamine B dye from  aqueous solutions. The composite was synthesized by incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles into a cationic ion exchange matrix  containing amine groups with high affinity for rhodamine B dye. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted under controlled pH,  temperature and initial rhodamine B dye concentrations. The results demonstrate that the composite material can effectively remove  rhodamine B dye, with adsorption capacities reaching 23570.4 mg/g and removal efficiencies over 90% under the optimal conditions at  pH 7 and 30 ºC. The adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics indicating chemisorption as the main mechanism. The findings  suggested that this composite material can serve as an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for removing cationic dyes like rhodamine B  dye from textile and other industrial wastewaters due to its high capacity, rapid adsorption rate and magnetic properties that enable  easy separation.
Waugh Type Polyoxometalate Enneamolybdomangate(IV) as an Acid Catalyst for Hydrolysis and as an Oxidant for Aspirin: A Kinetic Study
Authors: Mujawar S.I. , Yalgudre R.S. , Sutar D.J. , Gokavi G.S.
Published: December 2023

The oxidations of aspirin and salicylic acid by enneamolybdomanganate(IV) were studied in perchloric acid medium. The aspirin undergo hydrolysis prior to the oxidation to generate salicylic acid, which was found to be catalyzed by both HClO4 as well as the  oxidant. The rate of hydrolysis of aspirin catalyzed by the oxidant was found to be lesser than that of HClO4. A mechanism based on  the kinetic results is proposed for oxidation of both aspirin and salicylic acid. Initially, aspirin undergo hydrolysis to give salicylic acid,  which is catalyzed by both the oxidant, which also acts as an acid catalyst and the HClO4 used. The salicylic acid generated in prior  hydrolysis reacts with an oxidant undergoing oxidative decarboxylation by enneamolybdomanganate(IV) in a rate determining step  generating phenol. Further oxidation of phenol by another oxidant molecule gives the final product p-benzoquinone in a fast step. The  mechanism of oxidation of salicylic acid was also studied under identical conditions as that of aspirin and found to be similar except its  prior hydrolysis. A plausible mechanism was proposed and the rate laws for both the substrates were derived. In order to understand  the intervention of free radicals the reaction was studied in presence of added acrylonitrile. The formation of copious precipitate due to  polymerization of added acrylonitrile was not observed and the values of kobs also remain constant in presence of added acrylonitrile. The formation of MnIII was also studied in presence of added tetrasodium pyrophosphate, which did not affect the values  of kobs. Therefore, the formation of free radical and MnIII was excluded while proposing mechanisms for both the substrates.  The effect of added products Mn2+ and molybdate also did not have any effects indicating no prior equilibria involving these two  products. The effect of ionic strength and solvent polarity are in favour of the reaction between two neutral molecules. The activation  parameters were determined and support an outer sphere reaction with formation of a weak precursor complex between the  reactants was proposed for both aspirin and salicylic acid.
Adsorption and Kinetic Studies of Nickel(II) Ions onto Vermiculite based Ionite
Authors: Tursunmuratov Obid , Khushvaktov Suyun , Jurayev Murod , Bekchanov Davronbek , Mukhamediev Mukhtarjan
Published: December 2023

Using vermiculite based ionite, the absorption efficiencies of Ni2+ ions from synthetic solutions were investigated. The effects of pH and initial concentration of Ni2+ ions their absorption capacity were investigated to optimize process conditions using pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order. The results obtained from the sorption of Ni2+ ions on vermiculite based ionite show the kinetic characteristics  close to the pseudo-second order. The high Ni2+ ions sorption is attributed due to the the complexation of metal ions with −NH2  groups present in the absorbent, which results in the strong coordination bonds.
Alizarin Red S, Oxalic Acid and Cetylpyridinium Chloride-based Modified Photogalvanic Cell with Sustainable Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy
Authors: Yadav Sanjeev Kumar , Kumari Renu , Gunsaria Rajendra Kumar
Published: December 2023

In this study, an integrated photogalvanic system of Alizarin red S, oxalic acid and cetylpyridinium chloride has been fabricated and used for the conversion of solar energy in to electrical energy with improved conversion efficiency and storage capacity. The  photogalvanic cell is an H-shaped glass tube cell containing two electrodes dipped in a multifaceted electrolyte solution of dye-reductant-surfactant-alkali. By virtue of its photogalvanic action, it is capable of being charged by sun light. This system by way of  variable concentration of chemical components were used to formulate a modified photogalvanic cell. The modified cell indicated  significantly improved performance in terms of dark potential (778 mV), open-circuit potential (1189 mV), short-circuit current (420 µA), power (147.42 µW), charging time (17 min), half change time (16 min), conversion efficiency (2.16%) and fill factor (0.299).
Biological Activity and Pectin Content in Orange, Lemon, Tangerine, Grapefruit and Kumquat Peels in Vietnam
Authors: Hoang B.N. , Ngo T.C.Q. , Tran T.H.N. , Dang D.N. , Tran T.T. , Nguyen Q.K.A. , Nguyen Quyet Chien , Nguyen Hong Khoi Nguyen
Published: December 2023

Extracts of orange, lemon, tangerine, pomelos and kumquat peels were extracted by two methods viz. solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Extracts from peel were evaluated for their moisture, biological activity and antibacterial capacity. Raw material powder after preliminary processing tends to turn golden brown with moisture content below 10%. The antioxidant capacity  of the extract from low to high (orange > tangerine > pomelos > lemon > kumquat) was found. The vitamin C equivalent of tangerine is  the highest recorded at the value of 1.30 mg g−1 . In addition, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content of pomelos and tangerine  was found to be higher than that of other extracts. The antibacterial ability was also evaluated based on four intestinal-specific strains  including E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The orange peel extract isolated from solvent extraction method has the  highest resistant to bacterial strains, whereas, the other extracts have moderate antibacterial activity. The results on the pectin  composition in the peels have also been specifically evaluated. All the types of pectin powders have a degree of esterification (DE)  coefficient < 50% corresponding to pectin LM (low-methoxyl), especially pectin from lemon peel gives a DE coefficient > 50%  corresponding to pectin HM (high-methoxyl).
Trivalent Tetraazamacrocyclic Complexes of Cr(III) and Fe(III): Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Evaluation
Authors: Kumar J. , Singh J. , Jangra A. , Rani K. , Kumar R.
Published: December 2023

A novel series of macrocyclic compounds, [M(C37H36N4)X]X2; where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III); X = Clˉ, NO3ˉ, CH3COOˉ,  have been synthesized by using the template condensation between 3,4-diaminotoluene, dibenzoyl methane and dimedone in the presence of chromium(III) and iron(III). Various physio-chemical studies were used to characterize these complexes including PXRD, magnetic susceptibility, elemental analysis, electronic, IR and mass spectroscopy. These studies suggested that all the metal complexes have a five-coordinated square pyramidal geometry around the metal ion. The molar conductance values of these complexes in the range of 168-140 ohm-1cm2mol-1 indicated the electrolytic nature of these complexes. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antifungal behavior of these complexes was also examined by using different microbial strains i.e. Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In addition to this, the results of antibacterial and antifungal of complexes were compared with commercially available antibacterial and antifungal drug i.e. ciprofloxacin and Amphotericin B, respectively.
Benzofuran-Isoxazole Hybrids: Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activity and Dual Target Docking Studies
Authors: Posinasetty Bhargavi , Yejjella Rajendra Prasad , Bandarapalle Kishore , Kumarachari Rajasekhar Komarla , Veluru Hari , Babu Chilamakuru Naresh
Published: December 2023

In this study, five novel heterocyclic molecular hybrids (4a-e) were synthesized by combining benzofuran and isoxazole motifs. Thesecompounds were synthesized via a multistep process starting with 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. Computational tools were employed to predict properties, including antitubercular and antibacterial traits, drug-likeness, bioactivity scores, toxicity and potential molecular targets. In addition to these predictions, in vitro bioactivities were assessed and conducted Schrödinger docking simulations to determine binding affinities  to Mycobacterium tuberculosis enoyl-ACP reductase and Escherichia coli topoisomerase IV. Antitubercular efficacy was determined via the MABA method, while antibacterial effectiveness was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The obtained  results highlighted the promise of these benzofuranyl-isoxazole hybrids, making them strong contenders for further lead optimization,  with the goal of developing more potent and safer pharmaceutical agents.