bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What influence does vaginal microbiota have on Human Papillomavirus infection?
Authors: Eleutério José , Vasconcelos Rafael Pereira de , Oliveira Marina Mara Sousa de , Eleutério Renata Mírian Nunes , Gonçalves Ana Katherine Silveira , Giraldo Paulo César
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The human body is colonized by trillions of microbial cells, called the microbiota. The microbiome is defined as microbial cells and their genomes. Vaginal microbiota, especially lactic acid bacteria (mainly Lactobacillus sp.), seem to play a critical role in the prevention of various urogenital diseases such as bacterial vaginosis, fungal infections, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, and human papillomaviridae (HPV) infections. Changes in the vaginal microbiome contribute to the development of precancerous cervical lesions. Objective: To evaluate studies associating the vaginal microbiota with HPV, including the risk and persistence of infection and evolution to squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. Methods: A systematic review was conducted based on articles published between September 2011 and September 2019, using the following keyword combinations: “HPV [All Fields] AND “microbiota” [MeSH Terms] OR “microbiota” [All Fields] OR “microbiome” [All Fields]).” The keyword search was performed in the MEDLINE, Latin American, and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs), Cochrane Library, Highwire Stanford, and Embase databases. Results: In total, 239 original articles published between 2011 and 2019 were found in the researched databases on microbiome/microbiota and HPV. After exclusion, only six articles remained. Conclusion: There is a relationship between HPV and the cervicovaginal microbiota, but the mechanism of this influence cannot be specified.
Facial Plexiform Neurofibroma excision with sequential muti-layer hemostatic sutures, the novel technique to reduce blood loss
Authors: Velazquez-Mujica Jonathan , Cadavid Willerd , Don Francesco Andrea , Aksoyler Dicle , Chen Hung-chi
Published: October 2020

Plexiform neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant and is frequently seen at birth. Surgical excision is asociate to facial nerve damage and profussal bleeding. Sequential multi-layered hemostatic sutures is a technique frequently used in our practice for Arterio-veous malfromations (AVM). 15 patiets with facial plexiform neurofibroma were treated from 2004 to 2020 with surgical excision, in all patients the hemifacial area was affected. Although preoperative embolization is well known as a safe technique to reduce intraoperative bleeding, low rates of serious complications were reported as stroke, ischemic attack and necrosis. The multi-layered hemostatic sutures permit to remove piecewise the tumor avoiding dramatically bleeding in all our procedures, and is based on vessel collapse after mechanical ligation. The sequential multi-layer suture and the retrograde disection of the facial nerve in our practice has decresed the average of iatrogenic damage of nerve, and massive bleeding during the excision of the plexiform neurofibroma.
Atrapadas en una espiral de precariedad y exclusión: trayectorias de mujeres inmigrantes en programas residenciales para mujeres con menores a cargo
Authors: Layna Allue Nerea , Gandarias Goikoetxea Itziar , Navarro Lashayas Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2020

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las diversas trayectorias de mujeres inmigrantes desde su llegada al País Vasco. Para ello, se observan los efectos, vivencias y limitaciones de su paso por un programa residencial para mujeres con menores a cargo, así como su situación económico-laboral y residencial actual. Para conocer esta realidad, se han realizado quince entrevistas en profundidad a mujeres inmigrantes que fueron usuarias del recurso durante los últimos quince años. Las principales conclusiones derivadas del análisis son, entre otras, la fuerte presencia del sinhogarismo encubierto y de estrategias relacionales entre las mujeres para no acabar en la calle; el enclaustramiento laboral en sectores feminizados muy precarios e inestables que no les permiten salir de una continua espiral de precariedad y exclusión, así como la importancia de programas de largo alcance con una mirada holística e interseccional de la inclusión social más allá del ámbito laboral, que contemplen el acompañamiento psicológico y la reparación de las múltiples violencias.
Envejecimiento activo, objetivos y principios: retos para el trabajo social
Authors: Cuesta Ruiz-Clavijo Ana Belén
Published: October 2020

El envejecimiento de la población constituye un reto para la sociedad y al mismo tiempo una oportunidad, tanto para responder a las necesidades sociales de este grupo de población tan heterogéneo como para incorporar los factores positivos que aportan socialmente. Este artículo tiene una doble finalidad. La primera consiste en ahondar en la vinculación existente entre trabajo social y envejecimiento activo. Para ello se toman como referencia los determinantes y principios del envejecimiento activo y del trabajo social; los niveles de intervención y las funciones desempeñadas por este colectivo profesional, y se observan los espacios comunes y diferenciadores. La segunda consiste en exponer los retos profesionales que devienen del análisis anterior y permiten promover el envejecimiento activo por parte de los profesionales del trabajo social.
Internal stress in titanium G4 before and after metal forming in increased temperature and shot-peening determinated by sin2ψ method
Authors: Jeleńkowski Jerzy , Zdunek Joanna , Nawrocki Piotr , Mońka Grzegorz
Published: October 2020

The article presents the assessment of the macroscopic residual stresses in titanium, grade G4, determined by the sin2ψ X-ray method. The values of stresses measured in the source material and in samples of sub/microstructure obtained after plastic processing in the Gleeble plastometer at the temperature 875 K, optimized strain ε and strain velocity έ were compared. After shot peening, regardless of the structure diversity, the roughness of the polished surfaces of the samples sometimes increased even about 10 times. Small differences occurred in hardness, higher in the more plastic sub/microstructure, which was also reflected in the magnitude of internal stresses.
Effect of Pressure on the Yinmen Point in Relief of Pain After Middle Ear Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Agha Mohammadi Dawood , Bilehjani Eissa , Farzin Haleh , Fakhari Solmaz , Naderpour Masoud
Published: October 2020

Background: Postoperative pain is a common problem after middle ear surgery. Several analgesic agents are available for pain relief, but they cause numerous side effects. Therefore, complementary analgesic methods are developed to reduce patient’s postoperative pain and discomfort. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the acupressure on post middle ear surgery pain, applying pressure on the Yinmen acupoint of the sciatic nerve. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 100 adult patients who were candidate for elective middle ear surgery were selected and divided into two groups of Yinmen and placebo, each with 50 subjects. After admission to the ward, patients’ postoperative pain score was measured using the visual analog score (VAS) tool. Then, patients were placed in the prone position. In the Yinmen group, using a fist, we applied a continuous pressure (11 - 20 kg) to the posterior aspect of the thighs at the Yinmen acupoint for 2 minutes. In the placebo group, only soft contact was kept between the fist and Yinmen point for the same period. The maneuver repeated every two hours for four times. The pain intensity surveyed 10 minutes after the first maneuver, then every hour for 8 hours. For those with a VAS score ≥ 4, intravenous paracetamol and/or meperidine was administered. Any nausea and vomiting was managed using ondansetron 2 mg, IV. The pain score, paracetamol, and meperidine consumption were recorded and compared between the two groups. The chi-square and student t-tests were used to compare the two groups. Results: No significant difference was found between patients’ characteristics and the first pain score. For all measurements, pain intensity was lower in the Yinmen group (P value < 0.01). The pain after the first maneuver was relieved exactly when the acupressure was true. The intervention could reduce patients’ need to take paracetamol (6.68 ± 2.58 vs. 10.42 ± 3.87 mg/kg) and meperidine (0.21 ± 0.17 vs. 0.39 ± 0.23 mg/kg) in the Yinmen group. The two groups were not significantly different concerning the need to take ondansetron to manage postoperative nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: Applying 2 minutes pressure (11 - 20 kg) on the Yinmen acupoint of the sciatic nerves can reduce post middle ear surgery pain and analgesic consumption.
The Effect of Aerobic Training and Ozone Therapy on the Levels of MFN1 and DRP1 Gene Expression in the Heart Tissue of Rats with Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zandi Atosa , Azarbayjani Mohammad Ali , Peeri Maghsoud , Hosseini Seyed Ali
Published: October 2020

Background: People with osteoarthritis are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, regular exercise and ozone therapy can prevent such diseases. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic training and ozone therapy on the gene expression of MFN1 and DRP1 in the heart tissue of rats with osteoarthritis. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 rats with osteoarthritis were randomly divided into four groups of six rats, including (1) osteoarthritis control, (2) training, (3) ozone, and (4) training + ozone. Also, to investigate the effects of osteoarthritis on intended variables, 6 healthy rats were selected as the healthy control group. Then, for the next eight weeks, rats in the aerobic training groups were planned to run on the treadmill five sessions per week for 30 - 50 minutes, and those in the ozone groups received 20 µg/mL ozone once per week for three weeks, 21 days after induction of osteoarthritis. Gene expression levels of MFN1 and DRP1 were measured in the heart tissue. The Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data (P ≥ 0.05). Results: Induction of osteoarthritis was associated with increases in MFN1 (P = 0.001) and DRP1 (P = 0.001). However, in the training, ozone therapy, and training + ozone therapy groups, osteoarthritis decreased the DRP1 (P = 0.001); training (P = 0.02), ozone therapy (P = 0.002), and training + ozone therapy (P = 0.001) decreased the MFN1; Also, reduction in MFN1 and DRP1 was greater in the training + ozone therapy group than the sole training group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Although eight weeks of training and ozone therapy improved the levels of MFN1 and DRP1 gene expression in the heart tissue of rats with osteoarthritis, simultaneous use of training with ozone therapy showed more favorable effects on the improvement of MFN1 and DRP1 gene expression levels than sole training or ozone therapy alone.
NOL4 is Downregulated and Hyper-Methylated in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Suggesting Its Role as a Tumor Suppressor Gene
Authors: Sheikholeslami Sara , Azizi Fereidoun , Ghasemi Asghar , Alibakhshi Abbas , Parsa Hossein , Tavangar Seyed Mohammad , Shivaee Setareh , Zarif Yeganeh Marjan , Hedayati Mehdi , Teimoori-Toolabi Ladan
Published: October 2020

Background: Thyroid cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for 80% of all types of thyroid neoplasm. Epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation are known as the main cause of different types of cancers through inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Objectives: In the present study, the expression and methylation of suggested gene namely nucleolar protein 4 (NOL4) in PTC in comparison to multi nodular goiter (MNG) have been studied. Methods: Forty-one patients with PTC and 38 patients affected by MNG were recruited. Thyroid tissues were obtained during thyroidectomy. RNA and DNA were extracted from thyroid tissues. Quantitative RT-PCR assay was performed for determining the mRNA level of NOL4 while methylation-sensitive high resolution methylation was applied for assessing the methylation status with designing six pairs primers for six regions on gene promoter which were named from NOL4 (a) to NOL4 (f). Results: Methylation assessment of 81 CpG islands in the promoter region of NOL4 gene revealed that NOL4 (f), the nearest region to the start codon, was significantly hypermethylated in PTC cases compared to MNG cases. NOL4 level in PTC cases in comparison with MNG cases were downregulated. The methylation status and mRNA level of NOL4 (f) were associated with age of diagnosis (Age of the patient at the time of diagnosis), lymph node metastasis, and advanced stages of disease. Conclusions: These data suggested an aberrant promoter hyper-methylation of NOL4 in PTC cases may be linked with its downregulation. Therefore, NOL4 gene can be proposed as a potential tumor suppressor gene in PTC tissues.
Direct Relationship Between Sleep Disorder and Depression Severity in Iranian Adolescents
Authors: Pirdehghan Azar , Babaveisi Somayeh , Panahi Soheila
Published: October 2020

Background: Sleep pattern is one of the most important issues which can affect mental development in adolescents. Objectives: This study was designed to asses sleep pattern and its relationship with depression in order to obtain information for planning interventional programs and health promotion in adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on high school students in Hamadan, Iran in 2019. Mean age of the students was 16.53 ± 0.69 years (Min - Max: 15 - 19), and 290 (50.3%) students were girls. Samples were selected by multiple cluster sampling method in which 576 students were enrolled in the study. Two standard, valid and reliable self-reported questionnaire was used for recording sleep pattern (PSQ) and depression (Beck). After data collection, SPSS was used for data analysis. All P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Nearly 70% of the adolescents had problems in some subscales of sleep disorder included in mental quality of sleep, delay in falling asleep and daily dysfunction. Among them in 10% sleep duration was less than 5 hours and in 69% usual bedtime was after midnight (24 o’clock). Severe sleep problem in boys and students with fine educational status was more than others (P value < 0.001) and there was a statically significant correlation between sleep disorder and depression score (Pearson correlation: r = 0.42; P < 0.001) and in students with severe sleep disorder, 48.9% were severely depressed. Conclusions: Problems in mental quality of sleep was notable in Iranian adolescents, almost half of them had some degree of depression symptoms. Being boy and having severe problem in sleep pattern were predictors for depression. This information might be applied for well-being as well as physical and mental development interventional programs such as sleep health screening and adolescents and their parents’ educational programs in adolescents’ health promotion sector.
Cooking Up Energy: A Culinary Education Program for Children with Parent Outreach
Authors: Isoldi Kathy K. , Dolar Veronika
Published: October 2020

Objectives: Culinary interventions show promise in preventing obesity. The Cooking Up Energy (CUE) program aimed to improve weight status and attitudes held about healthy foods, as well as increase cooking self-efficacy and frequency of meal preparation, in children 6-12
years of age. Methods: We provided 10 one-hour long culinary and nutrition education sessions. We took pre- and post-program surveys along with height, weight, and waist circumference measurements. We invited parents to 2 evening sessions. We analyzed results for the entire group, and
a subgroup of children who were overweight or obese at baseline. Results: We analyzed matched data (N = 65; 52% female; >60% minority; 43% overweight or obese). Mean BMI percentile and BMI z-score did not change significantly following program completion. However, BMI z-score in
those who were overweight or obese, remained favorably constant, rather than rising. We found an increase in participation in meal preparation for all meals, along with robust attendance and favorable program evaluations. Participant cooking self-efficacy and attitudes remained largely unchanged.
Conclusion: Favorable results for several factors were evident; however, they did not reach statistical significance. The program holds promise in influencing food-related behaviors that can buffer obesity risk in children; however these findings warrant further investigation.
Health Risk Factors in American Indian and Non-Hispanic White Homeless Adults
Authors: Cole Ashley B. , Hébert Emily T. , Reitzel Lorraine R. , Carroll Dana M. , Businelle Michael S.
Published: October 2020

Objectives: American Indians (AIs) are over-represented among homeless populations, but are understudied regarding their unique risk and resilience factors relative to non-Hispanic white (NHW) adults experiencing homelessness. In the current study, we aimed to address this gap.
Methods: We recruited participants (108 AIs and 307 NHWs) from 6 homeless serving agencies in Oklahoma City, OK. Participants completed standard assessments of health, health behaviors, including alcohol and drug use, readiness to change endorsed health behaviors (eg, unsafe sex, fruit
and vegetable intake, happiness with weight, physical activity), sleep location and quality, personal victimization, and discrimination. Results: Compared to NHWs, AIs endorsed greater alcohol use problems and were more likely to report having been arrested/booked for disorderly conduct
or public drunkenness; however, AIs were less likely to report smoking cigarettes and reported greater readiness to change unsafe/unprotected sexual behaviors. Furthermore, compared to NHWs, AIs reported experiencing greater discrimination and were more likely to report sleeping outside or
on the streets, versus in shelters; however, AIs reported fewer days of inadequate sleep. Conclusions: Findings suggest AI-specific risk and resilience factors for homelessness. This information can aid in treatment, service, and housing planning for this under-studied group who experiences
some of the greatest health disparities.
Preparation of polyacrylate/silica membranes for fuel cell application by in situ UV polymerization
Authors: Zhyhailo Mariia , Yevchuk Iryna , Yatsyshyn Mykhaylo , Korniy Sergiy , Demchyna Oksana , Musiy Rostyslav , Raudonis Rimantas , Zarkov Aleksej , Kareiva Aivaras
Published: October 2020

The development of proton conductive polyacrylate membranes based on acrylonitrile, sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate, acrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and hybrid polyacrylate/silica membranes is reported in this article. Polyacrylate membranes were synthesized via UV-initiated copolymerization; for the synthesis of polyacrylate/silica membranes 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane-based sol–gel system was introduced into the polymerizing mixture.
Quantitative dissection of transcription in development yields evidence for transcription-factor-driven chromatin accessibility
Authors: Eck Elizabeth , Liu Jonathan , Kazemzadeh-Atoufi Maryam , Ghoreishi Sydney , Blythe Shelby A , Garcia Hernan G
Published: October 2020

Thermodynamic models of gene regulation can predict transcriptional regulation in bacteria, but in eukaryotes, chromatin accessibility and energy expenditure may call for a different framework. Here, we systematically tested the predictive power of models of DNA accessibility based on the Monod-Wyman-Changeux (MWC) model of allostery, which posits that chromatin fluctuates between accessible and inaccessible states. We dissected the regulatory dynamics ofhunchbackby the activator Bicoid and the pioneer-like transcription factor Zelda in livingDrosophilaembryos and showed that no thermodynamic or non-equilibrium MWC model can recapitulatehunchbacktranscription. Therefore, we explored a model where DNA accessibility is not the result of thermal fluctuations but is catalyzed by Bicoid and Zelda, possibly through histone acetylation, and found that this model can predicthunchbackdynamics. Thus, our theory-experiment dialogue uncovered potential molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulatory dynamics, a key step toward reaching a predictive understanding of developmental decision-making.
Neural encoding of task-dependent errors during adaptive learning
Authors: Kao Chang-Hao , Lee Sangil , Gold Joshua I , Kable Joseph W
Published: October 2020

Effective learning requires using errors in a task-dependent manner, for example adjusting to errors that result from unpredicted environmental changes but ignoring errors that result from environmental stochasticity. Where and how the brain represents errors in a task-dependent manner and uses them to guide behavior are not well understood. We imaged the brains of human participants performing a predictive-inference task with two conditions that had different sources of errors. Their performance was sensitive to this difference, including more choice switches after fundamental changes versus stochastic fluctuations in reward contingencies. Using multi-voxel pattern classification, we identified task-dependent representations of error magnitude and past errors in posterior parietal cortex. These representations were distinct from representations of the resulting behavioral adjustments in dorsomedial frontal, anterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal cortex. The results provide new insights into how the human brain represents errors in a task-dependent manner and guides subsequent adaptive behavior.
Burst mitofusin activation reverses neuromuscular dysfunction in murine CMT2A
Authors: Franco Antonietta , Dang Xiawei , Walton Emily K , Ho Joshua N , Zablocka Barbara , Ly Cindy , Miller Timothy M , Baloh Robert H , Shy Michael E , Yoo Andrew S , Dorn Gerald W
Published: October 2020

Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A) is an untreatable childhood peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations of the mitochondrial fusion protein, mitofusin (MFN) 2. Here, pharmacological activation of endogenous normal mitofusins overcame dominant inhibitory effects of CMT2A mutants in reprogrammed human patient motor neurons, reversing hallmark mitochondrial stasis and fragmentation independent of causal MFN2 mutation. In mice expressing human MFN2 T105M, intermittent mitofusin activation with a small molecule, MiM111, normalized CMT2A neuromuscular dysfunction, reversed pre-treatment axon and skeletal myocyte atrophy, and enhanced axon regrowth by increasing mitochondrial transport within peripheral axons and promoting in vivo mitochondrial localization to neuromuscular junctional synapses. MiM111-treated MFN2 T105M mouse neurons exhibited accelerated primary outgrowth and greater post-axotomy regrowth, linked to enhanced mitochondrial motility. MiM111 is the first pre-clinical candidate for CMT2A.
Chemical patterns of colony membership and mother-offspring similarity in Antarctic fur seals are reproducible
Authors: Tebbe Jonas , Humble Emily , Stoffel Martin Adam , Tewes Lisa Johanna , Müller Caroline , Forcada Jaume , Caspers Barbara , Hoffman Joseph Ivan
Published: October 2020

Replication studies are essential for evaluating the validity of previous research findings. However, it has proven challenging to reproduce the results of ecological and evolutionary studies, partly because of the complexity and lability of many of the phenomena being investigated, but also due to small sample sizes, low statistical power and publication bias. Additionally, replication is often considered too difficult in field settings where many factors are beyond the investigator’s control and where spatial and temporal dependencies may be strong. We investigated the feasibility of reproducing original research findings in the field of chemical ecology by performing an exact replication of a previous study of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). In the original study, skin swabs from 41 mother-offspring pairs from two adjacent breeding colonies on Bird Island, South Georgia, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seals from the two colonies differed significantly in their chemical fingerprints, suggesting that colony membership may be chemically encoded, and mothers were also chemically similar to their pups, hinting at the possible involvement of phenotype matching in mother-offspring recognition. In the current study, we generated and analyzed chemical data from a non-overlapping sample of 50 mother-offspring pairs from the same two colonies 5 years later. The original results were corroborated in both hypothesis testing and estimation contexts, with p-values remaining highly significant and effect sizes, standardized between studies by bootstrapping the chemical data over individuals, being of comparable magnitude. However, exact replication studies are only capable of showing whether a given effect can be replicated in a specific setting. We therefore investigated whether chemical signatures are colony-specific in general by expanding the geographic coverage of our study to include pups from a total of six colonies around Bird Island. We detected significant chemical differences in all but a handful of pairwise comparisons between colonies. This finding adds weight to our original conclusion that colony membership is chemically encoded, and suggests that chemical patterns of colony membership not only persist over time but can also be generalized over space. Our study systematically confirms and extends our previous findings, while also implying more broadly that spatial and temporal heterogeneity need not necessarily negate the reproduction and generalization of ecological research findings.
Photosynthetic performance and stevioside concentration are improved by the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in Stevia rebaudiana under different phosphate concentrations
Authors: Sarmiento-López Luis G. , López-Meyer Melina , Sepúlveda-Jiménez Gabriela , Cárdenas Luis , Rodríguez-Monroy Mario
Published: October 2020

In plants, phosphorus (P) uptake occurs via arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis and through plant roots. The phosphate concentration is known to affect colonization by AM fungi, and the effect depends on the plant species. Stevia rebaudiana plants are valuable sources of sweetener compounds called steviol glycosides (SGs), and the principal components of SGs are stevioside and rebaudioside A. However, a detailed analysis describing the effect of the phosphate concentration on the colonization of AM fungi in the roots and the relationship of these factors to the accumulation of SGs and photochemical performance has not been performed; such an analysis was the aim of this study. The results indicated that low phosphate concentrations (20 and 200 µM KH2PO4) induced a high percentage of colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis in the roots of S. rebaudiana, while high phosphate concentrations (500 and 1,000 µM KH2PO4) reduced colonization. The morphology of the colonization structure is a typical Arum-type mycorrhiza, and a mycorrhiza-specific phosphate transporter was identified. Colonization with low phosphate concentrations improved plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration, and photochemical performance. The transcription of the genes that encode kaurene oxidase and glucosyltransferase (UGT74G1) was upregulated in colonized plants at 200 µM KH2PO4, which was consistent with the observed patterns of stevioside accumulation. In contrast, at 200 µM KH2PO4, the transcription of UGT76G1 and the accumulation of rebaudioside A were higher in noncolonized plants than in colonized plants. These results indicate that a low phosphate concentration improves mycorrhizal colonization and modulates the stevioside and rebaudioside A concentration by regulating the transcription of the genes that encode kaurene oxidase and glucosyltransferases, which are involved in stevioside and rebaudioside A synthesis in S. rebaudiana.
Spatial differentiation of gully clusters based on the regional scale: an example from northeastern China
Authors: Zhao Ying , Zhang Bin , Qin Wei , Luo Jun , Liu Hui , Deng Qingchun , Lv Wei , He Yuli , Wang Houling
Published: October 2020

Gully erosion represents a serious environmental threat around the world, but their spatial distribution law are unclear at the regional scale. To quantitatively characterize the spatial distribution model of gullies and determine the regularity of regional differentiation, this paper used spatial analyst and statistics method to study the spatial distribution of gullies in 34 sample areas of northeastern China based on interpretations of high-resolution remote sensing images. The results showed that the kernel density could quantitatively describe the continuous spatial clustering of gullies. Gullies in northeastern China had the characteristics of a spatially unbalanced distribution at the scale of the sample area. The average kernel density of the 34 sample areas (Moran’s I was 0.43, P¡0.01P < 0.01) also indicated clustering distribution at the regional scale. The horizontal clustering characteristics of gullies exhibited an azonal distribution of being low values in the middle plain and high values on the three mountainous areas. The average kernel density in the southeastern part of the study area was highest (maximum value of 2.38). In the vertical direction, gullies were relatively undeveloped in low- and high-altitude areas, while middle-altitude areas were beneficial to the development of gullies. The effect of height differences on gully development was more significant than altitude. As the height difference increased, gullies tended to be more clustered, which can be expressed by a power function. The results of this study will not only help to understand the regional differentiation characteristics of gullies but will also provide a scientific reference for the study of spatial distribution of gullies in future.
Coastal Community's Perception on Climate Change and Its Impacts: Analysis of Local Coastal Community of Winneba, Ghana
Authors: Ankrah Johnson
Published: October 2020

Aims: The study assessed the perception of the coastal inhabitants of Winneba on climate change and its impacts.

Study Design: This study is descriptive in nature and employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted in Winneba, Ghana in February 2020.

Methodology: The survey method of research was employed in this study. An annual mean temperature timeseries data of Winneba from 1980- 2017 to supplement respondents' subjective views. In addition, community interactions were conducted to get personal information from the inhabitants about the impacts of climate change. 152 inhabitants were sampled through the convenience and the purposive sampling techniques. The convenience technique was used to select 148 respondents and 3 fishermen, and 1 fish seller selected purposively.  This was done through questionnaire administration and interviews. Community's interactions centred on inhabitants' perception of climate change and its impacts.

Results: The study found that temperature in the Winneba community has increased. The study again found diverse views on the most serious impact of climate change in the community. While some attributed it to rising temperatures, others attributed it to sea level rise and coastal erosion. The study also revealed that although many of the inhabitants lamented about rising temperatures as it disrupts their daily activities and cause diseases, sea level rise and erosion has also played a devastating role on the environment which needs to be addressed.

Conclusion: Local community perception and knowledge on climate change is important. Increased knowledge and awareness influence a community’s choice of mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts. A comprehensive policy framework on climate change awareness creation and education should, therefore, be implemented and made available to local coastal community members.
Studies on the Production and Consumer Acceptability of Eco-Friendly Household Cleaning Products from Locally Available Materials
Authors: Oguzor U. C. , Mbah P. E. , China M. A. H.
Published: October 2020

Household cleaning products are commonly used worldwide to enhance cleanliness and hygiene. Most household cleaning products marketed commercially today are very expensive, unaffordable and contain toxic and harmful chemicals. Some may even damage the cleaned surface through corrosion or abrasion. The aim of this study was to produce eco-friendly household cleaning products from locally available materials. The study was carried out in Omuku, Rivers State. The population was made up of all 182 housekeepers and working mothers across the five school of the Federal College (Technical) of Education and 15 hotels. The stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 102 working mothers and housekeepers. Household cleaning products such as liquid soap was produced from local materials such as orange, lemon, tangerine, coconut oil, and palm ash. Toilet cleaner was formulated from ginger and aloe vera extracts and activated carbon while floor wash was made from local gin, liquid wash, alcohol, lemon and sodium chloride. The products were subjected to sensory acceptability. A nine Point Hedonic Scale questionnaire was also constructed and administered to the respondents for data collection. Mean rating was used to analyze the research questions and sensory evaluation and Z-test was used to analyze the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that the locally produced household cleaners were acceptable in terms of quality. The respondents’ response differed with respect to the colour and the odour of locally made household cleaners especially the locally produced liquid soap. The study also revealed that the locally produced household cleaners differed from commercial ones only in terms of colour. The result therefore indicates the potentials of utilizing locally available materials for the production of non-toxic, natural and environmentally safe household cleaning products.
Effect of Knowledge Intervention on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among the Students of PJTSAU
Authors: Sirisha K. Santhi , Reddy R. Geetha , Hymavathi T. V.
Published: October 2020

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrinological disorders with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations affecting about 6-8% women of reproductive age. Many adolescent girls and women lack knowledge of Polycystic ovarian syndrome. The present study was designed so as to evaluate the knowledge of sixty undergraduate girl students from College of Community Science, Saifabad, Hyderabad, PJTSAU before and after the intervention programme on Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Knowledge assessment schedule developed by Kalpana, [1] was used with modifications as a data collection tool. High levels of knowledge was observed to be on basic terminology and definitions (31.6%),  pathophysiology of the disease (16.6%), complications of Polycystic ovarian syndrome (21.6%),  and management of Polycystic ovarian syndrome (26.6%) before the educational programme. An educational programme was provided as intervention to improve the students’ knowledge level regarding Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Then, a post test was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. The knowledge level of 83.3%, 68.3%, 75% and 83.3% of the total sample was found to be high on basic terminology and definitions, pathophysiology, complications and management of Polycystic ovarian syndrome respectively. Mean scores of the post-test were significantly higher compared to their values at pre-test (p<0.001). Thus the results prove that the knowledge intervention in the form of educational programme is effective in enhancing the knowledge of the students.
Pharmacological Properties and Chemical Constituents of Chiliadenus iphionoides (Syn. Varthemia iphionoides): A Review
Authors: Abdelhalim Abeer R.
Published: October 2020

Chiliadenus iphionoides (Boiss. & Blanche) Brullo has been used in traditional medicine for different medical issues including stomach ailments, diabetes, male and female fertility problems, eye infection, kidney stones, and as an anti-inflammatory. Extracts of C. iphionoides have shown to exhibit useful pharmacological activities. Phytochemical studies have shown the existence of many biologically active compounds, such as essential oils, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. This review aims to collect the published research about the traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological properties of C. iphionoides. This review showed that different extracts and active ingredients of C. iphionoides had various pharmacological properties such as anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, and antiplatelet activities which might be due to the excitant of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Chiliadenus iphionoides and its constituents exhibit many pharmacological properties that play a crucial role in human health, therefore, clinical trials should be conducted to study the valuable effects of the active ingredients of C. iphionoides in humans models and develop new drugs.
Role of Rapid Antigen Test in the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in India
Authors: Mohanty Aroop , Kabi Ankita , Kumar Subodh , Hada Vivek
Published: October 2020

In the current world scenario where we are seeing of an alarming increase in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, it is necessary that in addition to RT-PCR assays, there is development and standardization of other rapid and efficient diagnostic tests. In relation to the total number of confirmed cases, India ranks second only behind the United States and according to forecasts it will not be long before it reaches the first place. As in developing countries, such as India, it is difficult to implement molecular biology facilities in all centres, the creation of rapid antigen tests is increasingly common in the detection and diagnosis of cases of COVID-19 in an early stage limiting the spread of infection.”
Los límites simbólicos y sociales en la gestión de instituciones culturales en una pequeña ciudad del litoral argentino
Authors: Re Valeria
Published: October 2020

Desde o acompanhamento de três instituições culturais na cidade argentina de Curuzú Cuatiá (província de Corrientes), é analisada a relação entre a produção de classificações culturais hierárquicas e a criação de posições sociais que definem distâncias e aproximações na configuração do espaço social local. O trabalho reflete sobre a dinâmica social de uma cidade pequena e seus efeitos no gestão de projetos culturais institucionalizados. Metodologicamente, perfis são descritos com base nas trajetórias de suas principais referentes recuperadas no trabalho de campo realizado entre os anos de 2008 a 2013.
Cultura e turismo como recurso na formatação de ambiências urbanas: o caso do Porto Maravilha
Authors: Gontyjo do Couto Bruno
Published: October 2020

O presente artigo analisa o projeto de requalificação urbana Porto Maravilha, no Rio de Janeiro, enquanto materialização de uma forma de pensar e governar as cidades que concebe a cultura e o turismo enquanto recursos estratégicos de produção e consumo do espaço urbano, capazes de estimular o desenvolvimento econômico e social de toda uma região. Assim, o trabalho volta-se às intervenções adotadas na operação urbana entre 2009 e 2019, apontando para a centralidade material e simbólica da cultura e do turismo no projeto. Através da formatação de megaestruturas voltadas para serviços e práticas de cultura e turismo ou da funcionalização de patrimônios arquitetônicos locais enquanto espaços de visitação, o projeto recorre aos dois setores a todo instante com vistas ao tão almejado propósito de desenvolvimento econômico, social e urbano.
Apresentação
Authors: Vieira Mariella Pitombo , Farias Edson
Published: October 2020

Apresentação final
Incorporating sensitive cardiac substructure sparing into radiation therapy planning
Authors: Morris Eric D. , Aldridge Kate , Ghanem Ahmed I. , Zhu Simeng , Glide‐Hurst Carri K.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Rising evidence suggests that cardiac substructures are highly radiosensitive. However, they are not routinely considered in treatment planning as they are not readily visualized on treatment planning CTs (TPCTs). This work integrated the soft tissue contrast provided by low‐field MRIs acquired on an MR‐linac via image registration to further enable cardiac substructure sparing on TPCTs.

Methods

Sixteen upper thoracic patients treated at various breathing states (7 end‐exhalation, 7 end‐inhalation, 2 free‐breathing) on a 0.35T MR‐linac were retrospectively evaluated. A hybrid MR/CT atlas and a deep learning three‐dimensional (3D) U‐Net propagated 13 substructures to TPCTs. Radiation oncologists revised contours using registered MRIs. Clinical treatment plans were re‐optimized and evaluated for beam arrangement modifications to reduce substructure doses. Dosimetric assessment included mean and maximum (0.03cc) dose, left ventricular volume receiving 5Gy (LV‐V5), and other clinical endpoints. As metrics of plan complexity, total MU and treatment time were evaluated between approaches.

Results

Cardiac sparing plans reduced the mean heart dose (mean reduction 0.7 ± 0.6, range 0.1 to 2.5 Gy). Re‐optimized plans reduced left anterior descending artery (LADA) mean and LADA0.03cc (0.0–63.9% and 0.0 to 17.3 Gy, respectively). LV0.03cc was reduced by >1.5 Gy for 10 patients while 6 cases had large reductions (>7%) in LV‐V5. Left atrial mean dose was equivalent/reduced in all sparing plans (mean reduction 0.9 ± 1.2 Gy). The left main coronary artery was better spared in all cases for mean dose and D0.03cc. One patient exhibited >10 Gy reduction in D0.03cc to four substructures. There was no statistical difference in treatment time and MU, or clinical endpoints to the planning target volume, lung, esophagus, or spinal cord after re‐optimization. Four patients benefited from new beam arrangements, leading to further dose reductions.

Conclusions

By introducing 0.35T MRIs acquired on an MR‐linac to verify cardiac substructure segmentations for CT‐based treatment planning, an opportunity was presented for more effective sparing with limited increase in plan complexity. Validation in a larger cohort with appropriate margins offers potential to reduce radiation‐related cardiotoxicities.
Revealing the Perovskite Film Formation Using the Gas Quenching Method by In Situ GIWAXS: Morphology, Properties, and Device Performance
Authors: Szostak Rodrigo , Sanchez Sandy , Marchezi Paulo E. , Marques Adriano S. , Silva Jeann C. , Holanda Matheus S. , Hagfeldt Anders , Tolentino Hélio C. N. , Nogueira Ana F.
Published: October 2020

The optoelectronic properties, morphology, and consequently the performance of metal halide perovskite solar cells are directly related to the crystalline phases and intermediates formed during film preparation. The gas quenching method is compatible with large‐area deposition, but an understanding of how this method influences these properties and performance is scarce in the literature. Here, in situ grazing incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering is employed during spin coating deposition to gain insights on the formation of MAPbI3 and CsxFA1−xPb(I0.83Br0.17)3 perovskites, comparing the use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 2‐methyl‐n‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as coordinative solvents. Intermediates formed using DMSO depend on the perovskite composition (e.g., Cs content), while for NMP the same intermediate [PbI2(NMP)] is formed independently on the composition. For MAPbI3 and CsxFA1−xPb(I0.83Br0.17)3 with a small amount of Cs (10% and 20%), the best efficiencies are achieved using NMP, while the use of DMSO is preferred for higher (30% and 40%) amount of Cs. The inhibition of the 2H/4H hexagonal phase when using NMP is crucial for the final performance. These findings provide a deep understanding about the formation mechanism in multication perovskites and assist the community to choose the best solvent for the desired perovskite composition aiming to perovskite‐on‐silicon tandem solar cells.
Helix Inversion Controlled by Molecular Motors in Multistate Liquid Crystals
Authors: Ryabchun Alexander , Lancia Federico , Chen Jiawen , Morozov Dmitry , Feringa Ben L. , Katsonis Nathalie
Published: October 2020

Unravelling the rules of molecular motion is a contemporary challenge that promises to support the development of responsive materials and is likely to enhance the understanding of functional motion. Advances in integrating light‐driven molecular motors in soft matter have led to the design and realization of chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystals that can respond to light with modification of their helical pitch, and also with helix inversion. Under illumination, these chiral liquid crystals convert from one helical geometry to another. Here, a series of light‐driven molecular motors that feature a rich configurational landscape is presented, specifically which involves three stable chiral states. The succession of chiral structures involved in the motor cycle is transmitted at higher structural levels, as the cholesteric liquid crystals that are formed can interconvert between helices of opposite handedness, reversibly. In these materials, the dynamic features of the motors are thus expressed at the near‐macroscopic, functional level, into addressable colors that can be used in advanced materials for tunable optics and photonics.
Shape Programming by Modulating Actuation over Hierarchical Length Scales
Authors: Gao Tian , Siéfert Emmanuel , DeSimone Antonio , Roman Benoît
Published: October 2020

Many active materials used in shape‐morphing respond to an external stimulus by stretching or contracting along a director field. The programming of such actuators remains complex because of the single degree of freedom (the orientation) in local actuation. Here, texturing this field in zigzag patterns is shown to provide an extended family of biaxial active stretches out of an otherwise single uniaxial active deformation, opening a larger parameter space. By further modulating the zigzag patterns at the larger scale of the structure, its deployed shape can be controlled. This notion of texturing over hierarchical length scales follows geometrical principles, and is robust against changes in size and materials. The robustness of the approach is demonstrated by considering three different responsive materials: inextensible flat fabrics, channel‐bearing elastomer (respectively, contracting and expanding perpendicularly to the director field when actuated pneumatically), and 3D‐printed thermoplastic (composed of extruded filaments that contract when heated). It is shown that large‐scale shape‐morphing structures can be generated and that their geometry can be controlled with high accuracy.