bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Air-conditioning and the adaptation cooling deficit in emerging economies
Authors: Pavanello Filippo , De Cian Enrica , Davide Marinella , Mistry Malcolm , Cruz Talita , Bezerra Paula , Jagu Dattakiran , Renner Sebastian , Schaeffer Roberto , Lucena André F. P.
Published: November 2021

Increasing temperatures will make space cooling a necessity for maintain comfort and protecting human health, and rising income levels will allow more people to purchase and run air conditioners. Here we show that, in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Mexico income and humidity-adjusted temperature are common determinants for adopting air-conditioning, but their relative contribution varies in relation to household characteristics. Adoption rates are higher among households living in higher quality dwellings in urban areas, and among those with higher levels of education. Air-conditioning is unevenly distributed across income levels, making evident the existence of a disparity in access to cooling devices. Although the adoption of air-conditioning could increase between twofold and sixteen-fold by 2040, from 64 to 100 million families with access to electricity will not be able to adequately satisfy their demand for thermal comfort. The need to sustain electricity expenditure in response to higher temperatures can also create unequal opportunities to adapt.
Biomimetic apposition compound eye fabricated using microfluidic-assisted 3D printing
Authors: Dai Bo , Zhang Liang , Zhao Chenglong , Bachman Hunter , Becker Ryan , Mai John , Jiao Ziao , Li Wei , Zheng Lulu , Wan Xinjun , Huang Tony Jun , Zhuang Songlin , Zhang Dawei
Published: November 2021

After half a billion years of evolution, arthropods have developed sophisticated compound eyes with extraordinary visual capabilities that have inspired the development of artificial compound eyes. However, the limited 2D nature of most traditional fabrication techniques makes it challenging to directly replicate these natural systems. Here, we present a biomimetic apposition compound eye fabricated using a microfluidic-assisted 3D-printing technique. Each microlens is connected to the bottom planar surface of the eye via intracorporal, zero-crosstalk refractive-index-matched waveguides to mimic the rhabdoms of a natural eye. Full-colour wide-angle panoramic views and position tracking of a point source are realized by placing the fabricated eye directly on top of a commercial imaging sensor. As a biomimetic analogue to naturally occurring compound eyes, the eye’s full-colour 3D to 2D mapping capability has the potential to enable a wide variety of applications from improving endoscopic imaging to enhancing machine vision for facilitating human–robot interactions.
Diet composition influences the metabolic benefits of short cycles of very low caloric intake
Authors: Diaz-Ruiz Alberto , Rhinesmith Tyler , Pomatto-Watson Laura C. D. , Price Nathan L. , Eshaghi Farzin , Ehrlich Margaux R. , Moats Jacqueline M. , Carpenter Melissa , Rudderow Annamaria , Brandhorst Sebastian , Mattison Julie A. , Aon Miguel A. , Bernier Michel , Longo Valter D. , de Cabo Rafael
Published: November 2021

Diet composition, calories, and fasting times contribute to the maintenance of health. However, the impact of very low-calorie intake (VLCI) achieved with either standard laboratory chow (SD) or a plant-based fasting mimicking diet (FMD) is not fully understood. Here, using middle-aged male mice we show that 5 months of short 4:10 VLCI cycles lead to decreases in both fat and lean mass, accompanied by improved physical performance and glucoregulation, and greater metabolic flexibility independent of diet composition. A long-lasting metabolomic reprograming in serum and liver is observed in mice on VLCI cycles with SD, but not FMD. Further, when challenged with an obesogenic diet, cycles of VLCI do not prevent diet-induced obesity nor do they elicit a long-lasting metabolic memory, despite achieving modest metabolic flexibility. Our results highlight the importance of diet composition in mediating the metabolic benefits of short cycles of VLCI.
Rules of hierarchical melt and coordinate bond to design crystallization in doped phase change materials
Authors: Zhao Jin , Song Wen-Xiong , Xin Tianjiao , Song Zhitang
Published: November 2021

While alloy design has practically shown an efficient strategy to mediate two seemingly conflicted performances of writing speed and data retention in phase-change memory, the detailed kinetic pathway of alloy-tuned crystallization is still unclear. Here, we propose hierarchical melt and coordinate bond strategies to solve them, where the former stabilizes a medium-range crystal-like region and the latter provides a rule to stabilize amorphous. The Er0.52Sb2Te3 compound we designed achieves writing speed of 3.2 ns and ten-year data retention of 161 °C. We provide a direct atomic-level evidence that two neighbor Er atoms stabilize a medium-range crystal-like region, acting as a precursor to accelerate crystallization; meanwhile, the stabilized amorphous originates from the formation of coordinate bonds by sharing lone-pair electrons of chalcogenide atoms with the empty 5d orbitals of Er atoms. The two rules pave the way for the development of storage-class memory with comprehensive performance to achieve next technological node.
Tunable, biodegradable grafting-from glycopolypeptide bottlebrush polymers
Authors: Clauss Zachary S. , Wardzala Casia L. , Schlirf Austin E. , Wright Nathaniel S. , Saini Simranpreet S. , Onoa Bibiana , Bustamante Carlos , Kramer Jessica R.
Published: November 2021

The cellular glycocalyx and extracellular matrix are rich in glycoproteins and proteoglycans that play essential physical and biochemical roles in all life. Synthetic mimics of these natural bottlebrush polymers have wide applications in biomedicine, yet preparation has been challenged by their high grafting and glycosylation densities. Using one-pot dual-catalysis polymerization of glycan-bearing α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides, we report grafting-from glycopolypeptide brushes. The materials are chemically and conformationally tunable where backbone and sidechain lengths were precisely altered, grafting density modulated up to 100%, and glycan density and identity tuned by monomer feed ratios. The glycobrushes are composed entirely of sugars and amino acids, are non-toxic to cells, and are degradable by natural proteases. Inspired by native lipid-anchored proteoglycans, cholesterol-modified glycobrushes were displayed on the surface of live human cells. Our materials overcome long-standing challenges in glycobrush polymer synthesis and offer new opportunities to examine glycan presentation and multivalency from chemically defined scaffolds.
A repeated cross-sectional analysis assessing mental health conditions of adults as per student status during key periods of the COVID-19 epidemic in France
Authors: Macalli Melissa , Texier Nathalie , Schück Stéphane , Côté Sylvana M. , Tzourio Christophe
Published: November 2021

Previous studies have shown the negative impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on students’ mental health. It is, however, uncertain whether students are really at higher risk of mental health disturbances than non-students and if they are differentially impacted by lockdown periods over time. The objective of our study was to compare the frequency of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in students and non-students enrolled in the same study in France and during the same key periods of the COVID-19 epidemic. Using a repeated cross-sectional design, we collected data from a sample of 3783 participants in the CONFINS study during three recruitment waves between March 2020 and January 2021. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounding factors, showed that students were more likely to have high scores of depressive symptoms and anxiety more frequently than non-students. These differences were particularly strong during the first (depressive symptoms: adjusted odds ratio aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.22–2.08; anxiety: aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.22–2.18) and second lockdowns (depressive symptoms: aOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.04–3.12; anxiety: aOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.24–4.10). These findings suggest that the restrictive measures—lockdown and curfew—have an alarmingly stronger negative impact on students than on non-students and underline the frailty of students’ mental health and the need to pay greater attention to this population in this epidemic-related context.
Stochastic approach for the material properties of reinforcing textiles for the design of concrete members
Authors: Rempel Sergej , Ricker Marcus , Feiri Tânia
Published: November 2021

Textile-reinforced concrete has emerged in recent years as a new and valuable construction material. The design of textile-reinforced concrete requires knowledge on the mechanical properties of different textile types as well as their reinforcing behaviour under different loading conditions. Conventional load-bearing tests tend to be complex, time-consuming, costly and can even lack consistent specifications. To mitigate such drawbacks, a standardised tensile test for fibre strands was used to characterise the material properties needed for the design of a textile-reinforced concrete member. The standardised tensile test uses a fibre strand with 160 mm length, which is cut out of a textile grid. For the sake of this study, an epoxy resin-soaked AR-glass reinforcement was considered. The results show that the textile reinforcement has a linear-elastic behaviour, and the ultimate tensile strength can be statistically modelled by a Gumbel distribution. Furthermore, the results indicate that the modulus of elasticity is not influenced by the length or the number of fibre strands. Therefore, the mean value attained from the standardised test can be used for design purposes. These findings are essential to derive an appropriate partial safety factor for the calculation of the design values of the tensile strength and can be used to determine the failure probability of textile-reinforced concrete members.
Gate-tunable charge carrier electrocaloric effect in trilayer graphene
Authors: Cortés Natalia , Negrete Oscar , Peña Francisco J. , Vargas Patricio
Published: November 2021

The electrocaloric (EC) effect is the change in temperature and entropy of a material driven by the application of an electric field. Our tight-binding calculations linked to Fermi statistics, show that the EC effect can be produced in trilayer graphene (TLG) structures connected to a heat source, triggered by changes in the electronic density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level when external gate fields are applied on the outer graphene layers. We demonstrate that entropy changes are sensitive to the stacking arrangement in TLG systems. The AAA-stacked TLG presents an inverse EC response (cooling) regardless of the temperature value and gate field potential strength, whereas the EC effect in ABC-stacked TLG remains direct (heating) above room temperature. We reveal otherwise the TLG with Bernal-ABA stacking generates both the direct and inverse EC response within the same sample, associated with gate-dependent electronic transitions of thermally excited charge carriers from the valence band to the conduction band in the band structure. The novel charge carrier electrocaloric effect we propose in quantum layered systems may bring a wide variety of prototype van der Waals materials that could be used as versatile platforms to controlling the thermal response in nanodevices.
Systematic experimental comparison of particle filtration efficiency test methods for commercial respirators and face masks
Authors: Corbin Joel C. , Smallwood Greg J. , Leroux Ian D. , Norooz Oliaee Jalal , Liu Fengshan , Sipkens Timothy A. , Green Richard G. , Murnaghan Nathan F. , Koukoulas Triantafillos , Lobo Prem
Published: November 2021

Respirators, medical masks, and barrier face coverings all filter airborne particles using similar physical principles. However, they are tested for certification using a variety of standardized test methods, creating challenges for the comparison of differently certified products. We have performed systematic experiments to quantify and understand the differences between standardized test methods for N95 respirators (NIOSH TEB-APR-STP-0059 under US 42 CFR 84), medical face masks (ASTM F2299/F2100), and COVID-19-related barrier face coverings (ASTM F3502-21). Our experiments demonstrate the role of face velocity, particle properties (mean size, size variability, electric charge, density, and shape), measurement techniques, and environmental preconditioning. The measured filtration efficiency was most sensitive to changes in face velocity and particle charge. Relative to the NIOSH method, users of the ASTM F2299/F2100 method have commonly used non-neutralized (highly charged) aerosols as well as smaller face velocities, each of which may result in approximately 10% higher measured filtration efficiencies. In the NIOSH method, environmental conditioning at elevated humidity increased filtration efficiency in some commercial samples while decreasing it in others, indicating that measurement should be performed both with and without conditioning. More generally, our results provide an experimental basis for the comparison of respirators certified under various international methods, including FFP2, KN95, P2, Korea 1st Class, and DS2.
Impact of Governmental interventions on epidemic progression and workplace activity during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Ram Sumit Kumar , Sornette Didier
Published: November 2021

In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a state of paralysis. During this period, humanity saw by far the largest organized travel restrictions and unprecedented efforts and global coordination to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Using large scale human mobility and fine grained epidemic incidence data, we develop a framework to understand and quantify the effectiveness of the interventions implemented by various countries to control epidemic growth. Our analysis reveals the importance of timing and implementation of strategic policy in controlling the epidemic. We also unearth significant spatial diffusion of the epidemic before and during the lockdown measures in several countries, casting doubt on the effectiveness or on the implementation quality of the proposed Governmental policies.
Rigidity of loop 1 contributes to equipotency of globular and ribbon isomers of α-conotoxin AusIA
Authors: Ho Thao N. T. , Abraham Nikita , Lewis Richard J.
Published: November 2021

α-Conotoxins are small disulfide-rich peptides targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) characterised by a CICII-Xm-CIII-Xn-CIV framework that invariably adopt the native globular conformations which is typically most potent. α-Conotoxins are divided into several structural subgroups based on the number of residues within the two loops braced by the disulfide bonds (m/n), with the 4/7 and 4/3 subgroups dominating. AusIA is a relatively rare α5/5-conotoxin isolated from the venom of Conus australis. Surprisingly, the ribbon isomer displayed equipotency to the wild-type globular AusIA at human α7-containing nAChR. To understand the molecular basis for equipotency, we determined the co-crystal structures of both isomers at Lymnea stagnalis acetylcholine binding protein. The additional residue in the first loop of AusIA was found to be a critical determinant of equipotency, with 11-fold and 86-fold shifts in potency in favour of globular AusIA over ribbon AusIA observed following deletion of Ala4 or Arg5, respectively. This divergence in the potency between globular AusIA and ribbon AusIA was further enhanced upon truncation of the non-conserved Val at the C-termini. Conversely, equipotency could be replicated in LsIA and TxIA [A10L] following insertion of an Ala in the first loop. These findings provide a new understanding of the role the first loop in ribbon and globular α-conotoxins can play in directing α-conotoxin nAChR pharmacology.
Bioinformatic analysis of the gene expression profile in muscle atrophy after spinal cord injury
Authors: Huang Hui , Xue Jinju , Zheng Jiaxuan , Tian Haiquan , Fang Yehan , Wang Wei , Wang Guangji , Hou Dan , Lin Jianping
Published: November 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often accompanied by muscle atrophy; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy following SCI were investigated. The GSE45550 gene expression profile of control (before SCI) and experimental (14 days following SCI) groups, consisting of Sprague–Dawley rat soleus muscle (n = 6 per group), was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and then differentially expressed gene (DEG) identification and Gene Ontology, pathway, pathway network, and gene signal network analyses were performed. A total of 925 differentially expressed genes, 149 biological processes, and 55 pathways were screened. In the pathway network analysis, the 10 most important pathways were citrate cycle (TCA cycle), pyruvate metabolism, MAPK signalling pathway, fatty acid degradation, propanoate metabolism, apoptosis, focal adhesion, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, Wnt signalling, and cancer pathways. In the gene signal network analysis, the 10 most important genes were Acat1, Acadvl, Acaa2, Hadhb, Acss1, Oxct1, Hadha, Hadh, Acaca, and Cpt1b. Thus, we screened the key genes and pathways that may be involved in muscle atrophy after SCI and provided support for finding valuable markers for this disease.
Inferring the effect of interventions on COVID-19 transmission networks
Authors: Syga Simon , David-Rus Diana , Schälte Yannik , Hatzikirou Haralampos , Deutsch Andreas
Published: November 2021

Countries around the world implement nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Design of efficient NPIs requires identification of the structure of the disease transmission network. We here identify the key parameters of the COVID-19 transmission network for time periods before, during, and after the application of strict NPIs for the first wave of COVID-19 infections in Germany combining Bayesian parameter inference with an agent-based epidemiological model. We assume a Watts–Strogatz small-world network which allows to distinguish contacts within clustered cliques and unclustered, random contacts in the population, which have been shown to be crucial in sustaining the epidemic. In contrast to other works, which use coarse-grained network structures from anonymized data, like cell phone data, we consider the contacts of individual agents explicitly. We show that NPIs drastically reduced random contacts in the transmission network, increased network clustering, and resulted in a previously unappreciated transition from an exponential to a constant regime of new cases. In this regime, the disease spreads like a wave with a finite wave speed that depends on the number of contacts in a nonlinear fashion, which we can predict by mean field theory.
Ambulatory seizure forecasting with a wrist-worn device using long-short term memory deep learning
Authors: Nasseri Mona , Pal Attia Tal , Joseph Boney , Gregg Nicholas M. , Nurse Ewan S. , Viana Pedro F. , Worrell Gregory , Dümpelmann Matthias , Richardson Mark P. , Freestone Dean R. , Brinkmann Benjamin H.
Published: November 2021

The ability to forecast seizures minutes to hours in advance of an event has been verified using invasive EEG devices, but has not been previously demonstrated using noninvasive wearable devices over long durations in an ambulatory setting. In this study we developed a seizure forecasting system with a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN) algorithm, using a noninvasive wrist-worn research-grade physiological sensor device, and tested the system in patients with epilepsy in the field, with concurrent invasive EEG confirmation of seizures via an implanted recording device. The system achieved forecasting performance significantly better than a random predictor for 5 of 6 patients studied, with mean AUC-ROC of 0.80 (range 0.72–0.92). These results provide the first clear evidence that direct seizure forecasts are possible using wearable devices in the ambulatory setting for many patients with epilepsy.
Using systems thinking to study the coordination of the water–sediment–electricity coupling system: a case study on the Yellow River
Authors: Zhang Yuansheng , Cao Zhiwei , Wang Wei , Jin Xin
Published: November 2021

Joint operation of the Longyangxia and Liujiaxia reservoirs (Long-Liu operation) is of great significance for water and sediment regulation in the Yellow River. The water–sediment–electricity coupling system is a giant system with complex nonlinear relationships. A reliable Long-Liu operation scheme facilitates maximization of the benefits of the water–sediment–electricity system. Based on systems thinking, this paper quantitatively evaluated the reliability of different Long-Liu operation schemes and coordination of the water–sediment–electricity coupling system through the entropy weight method and dissipative structure model. The results indicated that the current operation scheme is more reliable than the adjusted scheme at the inter-annual scale and during the summer-autumn flood season and ice flood season within a year. However, the operation scheme should be improved during the spring irrigation period. The key factors influencing the quality of the water–sediment–electricity system include the outflow of the Liujiaxia reservoir, incoming sediment load into the Yellow River at Toudaoguai, sediment inflow-outflow difference in the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia Reach, water flow at Lanzhou and power generation upstream of Toudaoguai. The water–sediment–electricity system under the current Long-Liu operation scheme is more coordinated than that in the adjusted state, but the overall coordinated development of the system remains at a low activity level.
Understanding genetic risk factors for common side effects of antidepressant medications
Authors: Campos Adrian I. , Mulcahy Aoibhe , Thorp Jackson G. , Wray Naomi R. , Byrne Enda M. , Lind Penelope A. , Medland Sarah E. , Martin Nicholas G. , Hickie Ian B. , Rentería Miguel E.
Published: November 2021

Background

Major depression is one of the most disabling health conditions internationally. In recent years, new generation antidepressant medicines have become very widely prescribed. While these medicines are efficacious, side effects are common and frequently result in discontinuation of treatment. Compared with specific pharmacological properties of the different medications, the relevance of individual vulnerability is understudied.

Methods

We used data from the Australian Genetics of Depression Study to gain insights into the aetiology and genetic risk factors to antidepressant side effects. To this end, we employed structural equation modelling, polygenic risk scoring and regressions.

Results

Here we show that participants reporting a specific side effect for one antidepressant are more likely to report the same side effect for other antidepressants, suggesting the presence of shared individual or pharmacological factors. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for depression associated with side effects that overlapped with depressive symptoms, including suicidality and anxiety. Body Mass Index PRS are strongly associated with weight gain from all medications. PRS for headaches are associated with headaches from sertraline. Insomnia PRS show some evidence of predicting insomnia from amitriptyline and escitalopram.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a set of common factors underlying the risk for antidepressant side effects. These factors seem to be partly explained by genetic liability related to depression severity and the nature of the side effect. Future studies on the genetic aetiology of side effects will enable insights into their underlying mechanisms and the possibility of risk stratification and prophylaxis strategies.
Site-selective incorporation of phosphorylated tyrosine into the p50 subunit of NF-κB and activation of its downstream gene CD40
Authors: Chen Shengxi , Ji Xun , Dedkova Larisa M. , Hecht Sidney M.
Published: November 2021

Phosphorylation of key tyrosines in the NF-κB p50 subunit enhances DNA promoter binding in vitro and subsequent protein translation in vivo.
Homogeneous oxidation of C–H bonds with m-CPBA catalysed by a Co/Fe system: mechanistic insights from the point of view of the oxidant
Authors: Nesterova Oksana V. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Pombeiro Armando J. L. , Shul'pin Georgiy B. , Nesterov Dmytro S.
Published: November 2021

A Co/Fe system efficiently catalyses the oxidation of C–H bonds with m-CPBA. The nitric acid promoter hampers the m-CPBA homolysis, suppressing the free radical activity. Experimental and computational data evidence a concerted oxidation mechanism.
Coherent control of interlayer vibrations in Bi2Se3 van der Waals thin-films
Authors: Park Tae Gwan , Na Hong Ryeol , Chun Seung-Hyun , Cho Won Bae , Lee Sunghun , Rotermund Fabian
Published: November 2021

All-optical coherent control of interlayer vibrations in layered Bi2Se3 is demonstrated in a highly precise manner by employing ultrafast pump and probe spectroscopy with two delay-variable pump beams.
Polyaniline coated tungsten trioxide as an effective adsorbent for the removal of orange G dye from aqueous media
Authors: Hsini Abdelghani , Naciri Yassine , Bouziani Asmae , Aarab Nouh , Essekri Abdelilah , Imgharn Abdelaziz , Laabd Mohamed , Navío J. A. , Puga F. , Lakhmiri Rajae , Albourine Abdallah
Published: November 2021

In this work, the core–shell PANI@WO3 composite was obtained from the reaction of aniline monomer polymerization with WO3 particles; sodium persulfate was used as an oxidant.
Transient neonatal exposure to hyperoxia, an experimental model of preterm birth, leads to skeletal muscle atrophy and fiber type switching
Authors: Deprez Alyson , Orfi Zakaria , Radu Alexandra , He Ying , Ravizzoni Dartora Daniela , Dort Junio , Dumont Nicolas Alexandre , Nuyt Anne Monique
Published: November 2021

Individuals born preterm show reduced exercise capacity and increased risk for pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, but the impact of preterm birth on skeletal muscle, an inherently critical part of cardiorespiratory fitness, remains unknown. We evaluated the impacts of preterm birth-related conditions on the development, growth, and function of skeletal muscle using a recognized preclinical rodent model in which newborn rats are exposed to 80% oxygen from day 3 to 10 of life. We analyzed different hindlimb muscles of male and female rats at 10 days (neonatal), 4 weeks (juvenile) and 16 weeks (young adults). Neonatal high oxygen exposure increased the generation of reactive oxygen species and the signs of inflammation in skeletal muscles, which was associated with muscle fiber atrophy, fiber type shifting (reduced proportion of type I slow fibers and increased proportion of type IIb fast-fatigable fibers), and impairment in muscle function. These effects were maintained until adulthood. Fast-twitch muscles were more vulnerable to the effects of hyperoxia than slow-twitch muscles. Male rats, which expressed lower antioxidant defenses, were more susceptible than females to oxygen-induced myopathy. Overall, preterm birth-related conditions have long-lasting effects on the composition, morphology, and function of skeletal muscles; and these effects are sex-specific. Oxygen-induced changes in skeletal muscles could contribute to the reduced exercise capacity and to increased risk of diseases of preterm born individuals.
Development of a GUI for automating quality control of dose calibrators using Python
Authors: Bellahsaouia Meryeme , Bricha Mohammed Rabie , Belhaj Omaima Essaad , Chakir El Mahjoub , Boukhal Hamid , Elkhoukhi Taher
Published: November 2021

Quality control of dose calibrators is essential to evaluate the accuracy of the instrument response. In this work, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) has been developed to facilitate performing and recording quality control tests of dose calibrators. The interface is capable to automate several tests which include routine checks, accuracy test, linearity test, reproducibility test, repeatability test, concordance MBq/mCi test, and geometry test. In principle, the program computes correction factors that should be applied to minimize the uncertainty of measurements and the determining factors for success or failure of each test, then visualizes the results as tables and curves into a pdf file. Therefore, this interface can be considered as an efficient tool for performing quality control tests of dose calibrators thought it is still unable to offer the correction factors for the geometry test without experiment which will be achieved by integrating Monte Carlo simulation into the GUI.
Empirical Investigation of Healthcare Financing and Its Influence on Social Security: Peculiarities, Problems and Challenges
Authors: Abuselidze George
Published: November 2021

The global pandemic has posed significant challenges to the healthcare system. Ensuring social security has become an important concern of the government. The aim of the paper is to determine the relevance of public spending on health. Also, is there any standard measurement or recommendation of how much the government should spend or not, even considering the economic situation of the country? This led to the study of the experiences of different countries in this regard. The crisis caused by the epidemic most likely involves a longer period of time than COVID-19 itself. Accordingly, the results presented in the study and the recommendations developed based on it have practical implications for the link between crisis elimination, health and well-being.
Study of the sensitivity of certain bacteria –pathogenic human health- to atlas cedar essential oils and antibiotics
Authors: Ez-Zriouli Rabab , El Yacoubi Houda , Rochdi Atmane
Published: November 2021

The spread of microbial resistance around the world is one of the most serious threats to public health. Every year one to three antibiotics are released to the market, as each antibiotic has a limited effective lifespan after which microorganisms develop resistance. The need to identify new natural antimicrobial agents is an important research goal at the global level. The use of volatile plant extracts as antimicrobial agents represents a low risk for the development of resistance by microorganisms because these products are made up of several phytocompounds from different groups which work in synergy. The objective of this work is to test, in vitro, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of cedrus atlantica against six bacterial strains; Salmonella sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and streptococcus sp. And three strains of yeast; Candida Tropicalis, Candida Albicans, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. With the aim of researching new effective antibacterial substance with a broad spectrum of action. The results of the quantitative analysis showed a richness in certain compounds identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry; β-Himachalene, α-Himachalene, himachalene oxide and Limonene. The essential oil to show a significant antibacterial effect compared to the synthetic antibiotics tested Piperacillin 30 µg (PRL30) and Ampicillin 10 µg (AMP 10).
CSR practices in countries in transition: the case of Morocco
Authors: Ourdi Asmae , Taghzouti Abdellatif , Bourekkadi Salmane
Published: November 2021

This research aims to present a global vision on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of a country in transition such as Morocco, CSR is defined as a set of economic practices characterized by transparency, ethical transactions, openness to the outside world and respect for employees and society. while placing great importance on the environment. In the context of climate change and the collapse of biodiversity, corporate social responsibility brings sustainable value to society and shareholders. For this article, we relied on an analytical approach, collecting, analysing, and discussing academic papers relating to the subject matter, and more specifically focussing on a few cases in Morocco. Among the results we have achieved, is the identification of some of the challenges facing the application of corporate social responsibility in Morocco.
New approch of opinion analysis from big social data environment using a supervised machine learning algirithm
Authors: Saidi Wiam , El Abderahmani Abdellatif , Satori Khalid
Published: November 2021

Sentiment analysis is a very substantial area of research in our environment. Many studies have focused on the topic in recent years. It has rapidly gained interest due to the unusual volume of opinion-bearing data on the Internet (Big Social Data). In this paper, we focus on sentiment environment analysis from Amazon customer reviews shared by a machine learning based approach. This process starts with the collection of reviews and their annotation followed by a text pre-processing phase in order to extract words that are reduced to their root. These words will be used for the construction of input variables using several combinations of extraction and weighting schemes. Classification is then performed by a supervised Machine Learning classifier. The results obtained from the experiments are very promising.
Composition Table Of Moroccan Culinary Recipes
Authors: El Mir Nisrine , Safsaf Naima , Alabridi Aicha , Lazrak Meryem , Bouijij Hanane , El Ammari Laila , Saied Naima , Benkirane Hasnae , El Kari Khalid , Aguenaou Hassan
Published: November 2021

Good nutrition plays an essential role in our health. It decreases the risk of developing certain chronic diseases and thus increases life expectancy. This study is the first of its kind in Morocco, its objective is to determine the nutrient composition of the most consumed Moroccan culinary recipes. Thus, thanks to the calculation of the nutriscore, we can know which culinary recipe is the “healthiest”.

Some of the most consumed Moroccan traditional dishes were collected in which carbohydrates, fats, and proteins were analyzed using the procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, then followed by a calculation of the food exchange lists per serving using the Wheeler method.

Variations in macronutrients, micronutrients (minerals and trace elements) and trans-fatty acid content, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated were found among the Moroccan dishes. The highest protein (17.37g/100g) in Chicken, French Fries, and Cumin Tajine while the lowest (0.06g/100g) in Orange and Carrot Salad. The highest carbohydrates (42.68g / 100g) in Tuna Pizza while lowest (2.37g / 100g) in tomato with pepper. And the highest lipids (19.2g/ 100 g) in meat with onion Tajine and the lowest (0.6g/ 100g) in Harira. Meanwhile, the energy ranged between 35.7 and 352.4 Kcal/100 g in the dishes. For each dish and according to the size of each serving, the exchanges of carbohydrates (starch), fats, and proteins (lean meat, medium fat, and high-fat meat) were calculated.

This study offers an opportunity - for health professionals, dietitians as well as consumers - to orchestrate with knowledge traditional dishes and ensuring leading dietary and medical nutritional therapy practices and patient self-control.
Risk Management Assessments of Anti-tuberculosis Adverse Drug Reaction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Traore Boubacar , Tsoumbou Bakana Gladys , Nani Samira , Hassoune Samira
Published: November 2021

To improve adherence to treatment, quality of life of patients on anti-tuberculosis drugs, and prevent antibiotic resistance, we conducted this systematic review to support risk minimization actions. Methods: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched with a focus on adverse drug reactions. Two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using criteria defined by the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results: Seven studies were included, and four risk management strategies were identified (psychological intervention, drug dose reduction with or without prescription of adjunctive drugs, drug switching, permanent or temporary drug discontinuation). The strategies adopted were dependent on the nature and severity of the adverse events. All drugs responsible for serious adverse effects were changed or discontinued. Conclusions: The results highlight the relatively low frequency of adverse events leading to permanent discontinuation of 1st-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, but also emphasize the high incidence of adverse events leading to permanent discontinuation of cycloserine.
Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Illicium verum
Authors: Outemsaa Brahim , Oubihi Asmaa , Jaber Hassna , Haida Sara , Kenfaoui Ikram , Ihamdan Rachid , El Azhari Hamza , Ouhssine Mohammed
Published: November 2021

In recent years, a concern has been expressed about the impact of antibiotics and synthetic antioxidants, which are used to inhibit microbial growth and retard fat oxidation in foods. In addition, antibiotic resistance presents a serious menace to human and environmental ecosystems. This has led the food industry to use natural resources such as essential oils in the preparation of foods, this forming their sensory profile and increasing preservation time there. The objective of this work is to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Illicium verum. The yield of essential oil extracted by hydro distillation is about 4.13%. The chemical composition of the essential oil extracted from the dried fruits of Illicium verum was studied by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC and GC/MS). Twenty-eight constituents, representing 99.74% of the essential oil were identified. The major compounds are: trans-anethole (83.46%), D-Limonene (4.56%), Estragole (3.47%) and Linalool (1.07%). Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH assay. The essential oils of Illicium verum showed low antioxidant activity with IC50= 286.19 ± 7.4 mg/mL, compared to Ascorbic acid IC50= 0.09 ± 0.01 mg/mL. The antibacterial effect of this essential oil was tested against six microorganisms, of which Staphylococcus aureus is the most sensitive with an MIC of about 1/1000 (v/v), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterobacter cloacae with an MIC equal to 1/100 (v/v).
Epidemiological profile of the imported Malaria in the north region of Morocco from 2014 to 2018
Authors: Nabah Kaoutar , Mezzoug Nadya , Aarab Ahmed , Oufdou Halima , Rharrabe Kacem
Published: November 2021

In Morocco, the epidemiological surveillance of imported Malaria still be the pillar of the eradication strategy of the disease as part of environmental health. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile of malaria in north region of Morocco. It is retrospective descriptive study, based on program reports, carried out from 28 April 2019 to 18 February 2020 covering 2014-2018 period. The statistical analysis is performed by Epiinfo 7. In total, 59 cases of imported Malaria were reported. Tangier-Assilah province presented the majority of the cases (62.7%). The frequency was highest in 2018 with 35,2% (19) of cases. The male patient (79.7%) and the age of] 15-30] years (50%) were the most detected. 55.5% of the cases had a Moroccan nationality and were travelling from Guinea (33.9%). Diagnosis was conducting less than 2 days in 75% since the onset of clinical signs. The parasite was Plasmodium falciparum for 84.7% of Malaria cases. In conclusion, to prevent the risk of re-emergence of the disease in the region, the prevention and control measures against the imported malaria can be established at the regional as well as national level to achieve the objective of the malaria eradication in Morocco.
Metabolic Syndrome and Menopause are correlated in Moroccan women population
Authors: El Brini Otmane , Akhouayri Omar , Benazzouz Bouchra
Published: November 2021

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Physiological variations occurring in women during menopause are thought to be a predisposing factor for the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components according to menopausal status in a sample of Moroccan women.

Methods: We analyzed data of 653 women aged 19 years and older. We used the recently published joint interim statement criteria to classify subjects as having metabolic syndrome.

Results: Out of the total subjects, 262 (40.12%) were syndromic. The metabolic syndrome and abdominal obesity were more common in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. The highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in menopausal transition especially among women aged 49-52 years (62.59%). During this period, half of women have at least three metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Conclusion: Abdominal obesity associated with metabolic changes occurring in menopause was a risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome in women. There is a need to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent weight gain in women. This can minimize the incidence of metabolic syndrome and its consequences as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Knowledge of health professionals in transfusion and transfusion safety in Morocco
Authors: EL Mehdaoui Fatna , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , EL Khiari Malika , Laghawati Soukaina Benissa , Alami Raouf
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of transfusion and transfusion safety among health professionals.

Materials and method: 47 volunteers, working at the University Hospital Ibn Sina in Rabat of Morocco, answered a survey on knowledge, skills in transfusion and transfusion safety.

Results: 68% of the participants were female against 32% male, 85.11% were aged 20-30 years. 77% had a seniority of less than 5 years. 57% were nurses and 42% doctors. According to these participants, allergic reactions and hyperthermia occur with 85.11% after a transfusion, 57.45% mentioned lung edema.

80.85% of the participants stated that immunological and infectious risks are the main risks occurring after transfusion. 25.53% did not know that there were preventive measures for transfusion risks, 8.51% stated that there were none. 72.34% of the staff stated that hemovigilance is based on transfusion surveillance.

For 68.09% reporting transfusion events, informing recipients and monitoring them after transfusion are the main tools of hemovigilance. 27.66% of the participants were aware of the transfusion regulations and 53.19% were not. Only 41% had received training in blood transfusion. 91.49% of the participants wanted to develop their transfusion knowledge and competence.

Conclusion: Heterogeneity of knowledge and skills in transfusion is raised among these professionals, as well as a great motivation to improve their knowledge and the development of their skills in the field of transfusion. Thus, the development of training programs remains an urgent need for health professionals to further improve their knowledge and ensure the safety and quality of blood transfusions.
Electrophoretic Effects for Environmental Safety Technologies: Evacuation of Micro-Particle Conglomerations from the Surfaces
Authors: Gerasymov Oleg , Kuryatnikov Vladyslav , Spivak Andrii , Sidletska Liudmyla , Kilian Andrii
Published: November 2021

The actuality of the problem of contamination of objects by macro-molecular compounds is a growing problem today (especially given the terrible consequences of the pandemic). In fact, macromolecular complexes are mostly located on the surface layers of the surface covered with fine dust. Therefore, the development of technology for the removal of macromolecular components is actually a problem of fine (so we will call it) dust removal. This problem cannot be effectively solved by traditional mechanical removal methods alone, as contaminated objects have a rather complex, not even Euclidian, surface morphology. Therefore, it is important to develop effective technologies based on the use of properties of special configurations of external inhomogeneous electric field and removable components by means of a specially configured inhomogeneous electric field. The paper analyzes modern technologies of fine dust cleaning both mechanically and with the help of external electrical fields under the particular conditions and creation of levitation and electrophoretic motion. It has been found exact solutions of the model, which indicate in favor of the theoretical validity of decontamination technology using electric field with manipulative properties; the conditions of the most effective use of levitation-electrophoretic technology in the tasks of dust cleaning and decontamination, including decontamination of the surface-distributed macromolecular contaminants such as coronaviruses.

Index Terms

dust pollution

dust cleaning

levitation

electrophoresis

macromolecular pollution

coronavirus
Hygienic quality, study of enterobacteria isolated from table olives and antimicrobial activity of Olea europaea L from Tetouan, Morocco
Authors: Mennane Zakaria , Abrini Jamal , Elmtili Noureddine
Published: November 2021

88 samples of traditional and industrial table olives were collected from various outlets in the city of Tetouan. The physical-chemical controls concerned: pH , ORP (oxydo-reducing potential) and TDE (total dry extract). The microbiological side are: total aerobic mesophilic flora ( TAMB), total coliforms (TC), Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and lactic bacteria (LB) with an identification of the most predominant enterobacteria species and their sensitivity. Also to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Olive (Olea europaea L.) .The obtained results for traditional olives far exceed food hygiene standards, especially when 29.20% of traditional samples are too loaded in TAMB and TC and 16.5% are contaminated with SA. This shows that good hygiene practices are not respected. As for industrial olives, the averages in TAMB and SA are below the thresholds set by the standards, and only 19.8% are contaminated with TC which indicates the compliance of the majority of industrial type. Black table olives are the most contaminated. The identification results of coliforms extracted from traditional olives show the predominance of Citrobacter freundii and klebsiella pneumoniae .The sensitivity test shows that 80% of Enterobacteriaceae tested were sensitive to all antibiotics.The result showed that the ethanolic extrats was active against all bacteria.
Adverse effects of medicinal plants used by cancer patients in Beni Mellal and the communication of this use
Authors: Aboufaras Mohamed , Selmaoui Karima , Ouzennou Nadia
Published: November 2021

Moroccan cancer patients use traditional herbal medicine and no ethno botanical study has targeted them in the Béni Mellal Khénifra region. We had the objective to measure the frequency use of medicinal plants by cancer patients in the region of Béni Mellal Khénifra as well as the communication around this use and to inventory the plants used added to their adverse effects. We used an ethno botanical survey was conducted among 314 patients at the regional oncology center of Béni Mellal. The prevalence of use and the relative frequency of citation (RFC), the proportion of patients reporting this use and its adverse effects were measured. the prevalence of medicinal herbs use was 37.3% (n = 117). The citation relative frequency of plants ranged from 0.005 to 0.16. We found, also, 32 species belonging to 19 botanical families. Almost 90% (n = 102) of patients do not communicate this use and the most used plants are: Marrubium vulgare (16%), Ephedra alata (13%) and Juniperus oxycedrus (12%) Some plants seem toxic, in particular Juniperus oxycedrus used in a form of tar. The drug-plant interaction requires monitoring due to the lack of communication.