bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying Remotely the Challenge Based Learning Methodology in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Disciplines
Authors: Costa Andrew Diniz da , Lucena Carlos José Pereira de , Carvalho Gustavo Robichez de
Published: March 2023

Currently, remote learning has been increasingly adopted by different institutions, with the COVID-19 pandemic being one of the reasons to accelerate the use of this approach. Using different tools, different ways have been experimented for offering good experiences from remote classes, providing overall student support infrastructure, applying learning/teaching methodology and so forth. Challenge Based Learning (CBL) is a modern and active learning approach that has been used by different institutions around the world. It provides an efficient and effective framework for learning while solving real-world challenges. Even though it is in use in a number of different places, there is a dearth of reports offering remote CBL usage experiences. In order to contribute to this gap, this paper presents how the CBL was applied in two computing disciplines: one undergraduate and one postgraduate. From these experiences, a discussion ensued that led to the identification of important learned lessons, contributing to future remote classes applying CBL, which are shared.
A Liga do Pensamento Computacional: uma narrativa distópica para gamificar uma disciplina introdutória de computação
Authors: Pereira Roberto , Reis Rachel , Oliveira Leonam , Derenievicz Guilherme , Peres Leticia , Silva Fabiano
Published: March 2023

Na Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), desde 2019 oferecemos uma disciplina obrigatória para estudantes ingressantes que foi concebida para promover o desenvolvimento de habilidades que serão necessárias para todo o curso e para a prática profissional ao longo da vida. A disciplina tem o propósito de apresentar o curso escolhido, a Computação e suas diferentes áreas, favorecer o desenvolvimento do Pensamento Computacional, e promover o pensamento crítico. Neste artigo, apresentamos o relato de experiência sobre o uso de uma narrativa distópica conectando todos os conteúdos e atividades da disciplina para: 1. promover o engajamento e o interesse de estudantes na disciplina; 2. apresentar conceitos e tópicos relevantes sobre a área e sobre o curso escolhido; e 3. trabalhar questões não técnicas, como questões éticas e de responsabilidade profissional. Com base em opiniões de 45 discentes, obtidas por meio de um questionário aplicado ao final da disciplina, foi possível identificar que a narrativa atendeu aos seus três propósitos, contribuindo positivamente com o início do curso.
Estudo sobre Evasão nos Cursos de Computação da Universidade Estadual de Maringá
Authors: Fukao Amanda T. , Colanzi Thelma E. , Martimiano Luciana A. F. , Feltrim Valéria D.
Published: March 2023

Estudos recentes mostram que a evasão nos cursos da área de Computação costuma ser alta, sendo muitas vezes atribuída à dificuldade dos alunos com as disciplinas relacionadas à Matemática e à Programação. Tal problema motivou a realização deste trabalho, que investigou a evasão nos cursos de graduação da área de Computação da Universidade Estadual de Maringá. O estudo foi realizado a partir de dados obtidos junto à instituição e a partir de dados coletados com alunos que evadiram dos cursos. A partir dos dados institucionais, foram realizadas análises quantitativas e a partir das respostas dos alunos evadidos, foram realizadas análises qualitativas, incluindo as principais causas que levaram à evasão. Observou-se que o curso noturno apresentou maior taxa de evasão do que o curso em período integral e que o principal fator percebido como impactante para a evasão foi a didática adotada pelos professores. Fatores ligados à pandemia de COVID-19 também foram percebidos como impactantes.
Gamificando Aulas Invertidas no Ensino de Engenharia de Requisitos: Um Relato de Experiência
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Elanne M. , Damazio Gabriela Nayara , Veras Necio , Marques Anna Beatriz , Viana Windson
Published: March 2023

Diversas metodologias ativas vem sendo estudadas e aplicadas no ensino de Engenharia de Software com o propósito de tornar as aulas mais dinâmicas e engajadoras. Neste artigo, é relatada uma experiência de ensino que combina a metodologia de Sala de Aula Invertida (SAI) com técnicas de Gamificação. A abordagem envolveu a preparação de roteiros de estudo com elementos de gamificação, atividades práticas gamificadas em sala de aula, um sistema de recompensas que permitia a troca de pontos por benefícios nas avaliações da disciplina e badges de personalidades importantes da área de estudo. O relato descreve uma experiência de aplicação da abordagem em uma turma de Engenharia de Requisitos do ensino superior com 41 estudantes após a retomada das atividades presenciais. A experiência compreendeu 6 aulas durante 3 semanas. A percepção dos estudantes foi positiva em relação aos roteiros de estudo, formato da aula e impacto na aprendizagem. Em relação ao aprendizado, observou-se um impacto positivo em três dos quatro conteúdos aplicados com um nível de significância de 95%, atingindo um ganho médio de até 32.1% na nota dos alunos comparando pós e pré-testes.
Currículo Paulista e o Programa Inova Educação: as tecnologias digitais e as novas diretrizes curriculares do estado de São Paulo
Authors: Pereira Ayana Cristina Anselmo , Fonseca Henrique Arakaki , Linhalis Flávia
Published: March 2023

Com a homologação da BNCC (Base Nacional Comum Curricular) em 2018, todos os estados brasileiros tiveram de adaptar seus currículos a novas diretrizes curriculares. No estado de São Paulo, o Currículo Paulista tem como pilares principais os conceitos de educação integral e metodologias ativas na aprendizagem. Pensando nessas premissas, a Secretaria de Educação do Estado de São Paulo criou o Programa Inova Educação, uma proposta para garantir as mudanças estruturais nas escolas públicas do estado. As principais mudanças foram a diminuição do tempo das aulas, o aumento de uma aula diária e a inclusão de três novas disciplinas na grade curricular: "Projeto de Vida", "Eletiva" e "Tecnologia e Inovação". Neste artigo, procuramos fazer uma análise do Currículo Paulista e do Programa Inova com vistas a compreender como as tecnologias digitais se inserem nas novas diretrizes curriculares do Estado de São Paulo. Como resultado, procuramos contribuir com subsídios para futuras pesquisas sobre a inserção da disciplina de Tecnologia e Inovação nas escolas, no que tange a formação de professores, o currículo em ação e a intercessão da nova disciplina com o recente complemento à BNCC na área de Computação.
Normas, Diretrizes e Material Didático para o Ensino de Computação na Educação Básica Brasileira
Authors: Kniphoff da Cruz Marcia Elena Jochims , Marques Samanta Ghisleni , Tavares Tainã Ellwanger , Oliveira Wilk , Seelig Gustavo Baumgarten
Published: March 2023

No dia três de outubro de 2022 foi homologado pelo Ministério da Educação um documento denominado ‘Normas sobre Computação na Educação Básica - Complemento à Base Nacional Comum Curricular. Esse documento apresenta habilidades e competências para o Ensino de Computação na Educação Básica brasileira. As normas implicam em uma série de desafios, como a necessidade de formar professores e oferecer materiais didáticos adequados às necessidades brasileiras. Enfrentando esses desafios, este trabalho apresenta uma análise das referidas normas, especialmente no tocante ao Pensamento Computacional no Ensino Fundamental, em comparação ao documento denominado ‘Diretrizes para Ensino de Computação na Educação Básica’, da Sociedade Brasileira de Computação. A comparação entre os documentos serve como base para a apresentação de material didático desplugado para ensino de Computação. Identifica-se que as normas e diretrizes possuem afinidades, assim como o material didático está fortemente relacionado às mesmas. Este trabalho contribui, especialmente, para a área de Ensino de Computação, por meio de uma discussão comparativa e incentiva que o material didático de Computação Desplugada venha a ser utilizado em todas as escolas de Ensino Fundamental.
KÜRESEL LİDERLİK VE PARADİGMA GELİŞTİRME: RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN MODELİ
Authors: Duman Mehmet , Kasımoğlu Murat
Published: March 2023

Yaşamsal bütün ağların gittikçe sayılarının arttığı ve daha yoğun iletişime geçtiği dünyada liderlik yapmanın önemi artmıştır. Küresel vizyona sahip olmak zaruri hale gelmiştir. Küresel ve yerel unsurların dengesini sağlama konusunda günümüzdeki liderlik tarzlarını incelemek gerekmektedir. Türkiye’deki liderler üzerine yapılan araştırmalara bu doğrultuda güncel araştırmalarla katkı sağlanmalıdır. Liderlik süreci devam eden liderlerin nasıl bir liderlik paradigması içinde hareket ettikleri incelenmelidir. Bu çalışma doğrultusunda, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın küresel liderlik özellikleri ve değer-odaklı liderlik özellikleri bağlamında nitel bir araştırma yürütülmüştür. %29’u sosyal bilimlerde uzman düzeyinde olan 34 görüşmeciyle yarı-yapılandırılmış açık uçlu mülâkat soruları çerçevesinde görüşülmüştür. Sonuçlar, Erdoğan’ın küresel liderlik özelliklerine sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Erdoğan’ın emperyalizmin dünya halkları üzerindeki çok yönlü sömürgecilik politikalarına karşı bağımsız duruş sergilediği keşfedilmiştir. Türki cumhuriyetler ve İslam ülkeleri birleştirici çalışmalar yapması, dünya barışını daha çok gündeme getirmiş olması açığa çıkmıştır. Dünya liderleri ve dünya halkları nezdinde saygınlık gördüğü de çalışmanın sonuçları arasındadır. Değer odaklı liderlik özelliklerinin de kişisel liderlik özellikleri ile uyumlu olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Erdoğan’ın bu özellikleri arasında özellikle hitabet, karizmatik olma, risk alabilme ve cesaret gibi nitelikler görülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları daha önceki araştırmaların sonuçları ile tutarlılık taşımaktadır.
Dünya Bankası, Sosyal Risk Yönetimi ve Yönetişim
Authors: Küçük Özlem
Published: March 2023

Yönetişim, ülke yönetimlerinden alınan yetkilerle beraber Hükümetlerin ötesinde bir dizi kurum ve aktöre atıfta bulunur. Geleneksel anlamda Devletin veya Hükümetin otoritesine meydan okur ve Hükümetin bir devletin tek güç merkezi olmadığını iddia eder. Yönetişim, yerel, ulusal ve ulus üstü kurumların toplu eylemlere ilişkin güç bağımlılığını tanımlar. Kendi kendini yöneten bir ağ, belirli bir alanda ortak mutabakat doğrultusunda talimat verirken bu alanda Hükümetle birlikte çalışma ve kamu yönetimine ilişkin sorumlulukları paylaşma yetkisine sahiptir. Nitekim hem sosyal ağlar hem de sosyal medya, yönetimden yönetişime geçişi besleyen en önemli unsurlardır. Dünya genelinde sosyal medya, özgürlük ve demokrasi talebinin yayılmasında ve artırılmasında güçlü bir iletişim aracı işlevi olarak sunulurken, yönetişimin öğelerinden özgürlük, şeffaflık ve demokrasi ilkeleri, sosyal ağlar yoluyla temsili demokrasiden katılımcı demokrasiye geçişte önemli araçlar olarak gösterilmektedir. Dünya Bankası, 1990’lı yıllarda iyi yönetişim üzerine politika üretmeye başlamıştır. Bilhassa sağlık alanında merkezi planlama ve yönetimden yerelleşme ve özelleşme yoluyla yönetişim uygulamalarına geçişi kolaylaştırmıştır. Böylelikle Banka, düzenleyici devletin tamamlayıcısı olarak gördüğü yönetişim kavramı üzerine yoğunlaşmıştır. Nitekim Banka Yıllık Rapor kataloğunda (2002) herkesin yaşam kalitesini artırarak, yoksulluğu azaltmak üzere yönetimde kalitenin anahtarı olarak yönetişimi öncelediğini duyurmuştur. Bu çalışma, Dünya Bankası’nın küresel serbest piyasa ekonomisinin sosyal risklerini önleme öncelikli olarak sağlıklı bir şekilde gelişimini sürdürebilmesi için yapılandırdığı yönetişim kavramını, önemini ve etkilerini sorgulamaktadır. Bu makale de karma araştırma yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Dünya Bankası’nın Dünya Kalkınma Raporları başta olmak üzere OECD’nin Yönetişim kavramına ilişkin raporları ve çalışmaları ile küresel yönetişime ilişkin nitel ve nicel araştırmalar ilişkilendirilmiştir.
Controlled release of fibroin repeat-tagged proteins from silk hydrogel
Authors:   , Promsuk Jaturong
Published: March 2023

Protein-based biologic drugs such as growth factors are playing important roles in modern medicine. These proteins can be used to stimulate local tissue repair. Growth factors are often incorporated into a scaffold, such as a hydrogel, and then put into the desired area of the body to achieve therapeutic effects. However, diffusion of these growth factors outside of the designated area or inappropriate release time can have deleterious consequences, such as inducing tumors in other areas of the body or uncontrolled inflammation. Therefore, this project aims to create a model to study diffusion of protein from hydrogel by using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a biologics model and silk hydrogel as a scaffold to investigate the drug release behavior from the hydrogel. To investigate the bioactive release profile, GFP fused to silk repeating units (GAGAGS)n-GFP was used as a model. In this study, the gelation time of the silk fibroin hydrogel containing GFP is faster than the pure silk fibroin hydrogel. The release of (GAGAGS)n-GFP from silk fibroin hydrogel reduces the burst release effect and sustained release profile, especially silk fibroin hydrogel containing six repeats of SF tagged GFP. These results indicate that increasing the number of silk repeating unit(s) help sustain the model protein release from silk fibroin hydrogel. In addition, the release mechanism was investigated by FTIR and XRD method. The result showed that the release profile of GFP was not dependent on the β-sheet content of hydrogel but could be occur from hydrophobic interaction between repeating unit of peptide and repeating unit of SF hydrogel scaffold. After determining the optimal number of repeating units, the six repeating units tagged-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is produced and showed the function. The bFGF-incorporated hydrogel is examined for bFGF release and stimulated of cell proliferation in cell culture. These results indicate that six repeating units-tagged bFGF can sustain release of bFGF detected by NIH3T3 proliferation.
Effect of acidity on hydrolysis and depolymerization of lignocellulose in one-pot lignin-first biorefinery
Authors:   , Kaewklam Rattanaporn
Published: March 2023

In lignin-first biorefinery, extraction and depolymerization of lignin from lignocellulosic materials provide value-added lignin monomers. In this study, a mixture of acid-containing water and ethylene glycol was introduced to the lignin-fist biorefinery for simultaneously improving lignin cleavage, together with the depolymerization of cellulose and hemicellulose within one-pot. The experiments were conducted at 180-250°C under the hydrogen pressure of 30 bar for 1-6 h using oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) as a biomass source. The presence of acid and mixed solvent in the reaction provided the lignin oil yield up to 60 wt% comprising of the main monomers such as phenol, guaiacyl, and syringyl. Moreover, the acidity at pH 4 leads to the lignin monomer yield of 4.5 wt%. Glucose, xylose, and arabinose from hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose in water phase were identified to clarify that the one-pot lignin-first biorefinery simultaneously depolymerize lignin and hydrolyze carbohydrate. The effects of temperature and reaction time were investigated. The results revealed that the harsh conditions result in high potential of lignin depolymerization but diminish the sugar units of carbohydrate. This study demonstrate that ethylene glycol participates in the extraction of lignin from OPEFB, while acid-containing water participates not only in depolymerization of carbohydrate but also in depolymerization of lignin. On the other hand, acid-catalyst stabilizes the reactive lignin.
Effect of single metal loading on CaO/AL2O3 pellet catalyst for biodiesel production
Authors:   , Munbupphachart Nattawadee
Published: March 2023

Biodiesel is a sustainable biofuel mainly derived from transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fat. Transesterification is increasingly being catalyzed by heterogeneous catalysts in recent years. As a result of a high-pressure drop, solid base catalysts in a powder form are not suitable for a continuous process. A pellet catalyst is more convenient, but it has lower surface per volume as well as lower in its catalytic activity for transesterification. This research aims at studying the effect of metal oxides loading on CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalyst for improvement of catalytic activity of transesterification. The 20 wt.% single metal loading of metal oxides on CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalysts including Li-CaO/Al2O3, K-CaO/Al2O3, Sr-CaO/Al2O3, and Fe-CaO/Al2O3 were synthesized by incipient impregnation method. The K-CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalyst gave the highest biodiesel yield (95.5%) under 12:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 65 °C, 10 wt.% catalysts and 6 h reaction time. Its total basicity was found to be 2.40 mmol/g. The initial TOF was determined and found the relationship between the basicity and its catalytic activity. In addition, the mechanical strength of K-CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalyst was increased when compared with the bare CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalyst. Unfortunately, the leaching problem of K-CaO/Al2O3 pellet catalyst was observed during the transesterification.
Therapeutic Options for COVID-19: Drug Repurposing of Serine Protease Inhibitor Against TMPRSS2
Authors:   Universitas Indonesia, Abiyyi Mohammad Wildan , Dwira Surya ,   Universitas Indonesia, Bustami Arleni ,   Universitas Indonesia, Erlina Linda ,   Universitas Indonesia
Published: March 2023

The SARS-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is a serious global public health threat. Researchers around the world are conducting mass research to control this epidemic, starting from the discovery of vaccines, to new drugs that have specific activities as antivirals. Drug repurposing is a potential method of using drugs with known activity for reuse as COVID-19 therapy. This method has the advantage that it can reduce costs and also the duration in the development of potential drugs. The initial step in drug repurposing can be done computationally to determine the effectiveness and specificity of the drug on the target protein. Molecular docking analysis can see the specific interactions of potential compounds with target proteins by analyzing the energy of the bonds formed. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a major target in the design and discovery of new drugs for the treatment of Covid-19 disease. In addition, transmembrane protein serine protease (TMPRSS2) from host cells has been shown to have an important role in the proteolytic cleavage of viral spike protein to the ACE2 receptor present in human cells. Based on screening studies, it is known that there are several drugs that have been established that have the potential to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 transfection mechanism into host cells. 10 potential drug candidates used in this study namely Arbecacin, Bromhexine hydrochloride, Hydroxychloroquine, Camostat mesylate, Darunavir, Dequalinium, Fleroxacin, Lopinavir, Remdesivir, and Octopamine were used in molecular docking. Docking analysis revealed that there were three potential compounds, namely Bromhexine hydrochloride, Camostat mesylate and Octopamine with low binding affinity and inhibition constants. Based on the docking result, Camostat mesylate as the best candidate has a high specific binding affinity for the Ser441 and Asp435 residues present in the TMPRSS2 catalytic triad. Thus, these results reveal the mechanism of inhibition of TMPRSS2 by the known inhibitor Camostat mesylate in detail at the molecular level. Where, Camostat mesylate has a strong bond. This structural information could also be useful for designing and discovering new inhibitors of TMPRSS2, which may be useful for preventing the entry of SARS-CoV 2 into human cells.
Biomarker Metabolite Discovery for Pancreatic Cancer using Machine Learning
Authors:   Universitas Indonesia, Kezia Immanuelle , Erlina Linda ,   Universitas Indonesia, Tedjo Aryo ,   Universitas Indonesia, Fadilah Fadilah ,   Universitas Indonesia
Published: March 2023

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. This cancer is caused by multiple factors and mostly detected at late stadium. Biomarker is a marker that can identify some diseases very specific. For pancreatic cancer, biomarker has been recognized using blood sample known as liquid biopsy, breath, pancreatic secret, and tumor marker CA19-9. Those biomarkers are invasive, so we want to identify the disease using a very convenient method. Metabolite is product from cell metabolism. Metabolites can become a biomarker especially from difficult diseases. In this paper, we want to find biomarker from metabolite using machine learning and enrichment. Metabolites data was obtained from Metabolomic workbench, while the detection and identification is done using in silico. From 106 samples, control and cancer, we found 61 metabolites and analyze them. We got 8 metabolites that play important role in pancreatic cancer and found out 2 of them are the most impactful. From that we found that ethanol is one of the best candidate of biomarker that we provide for pancreatic detection cancer. However, the simulation need to be improved to find another biomarker that provide a better marker for prognosis.
Evidential value of country location evidence obtained from IP address geolocation
Authors: Komosny Dan
Published: March 2023

Knowledge of the previous location of an Internet device is valuable information in forensics. The previous device location can be obtained via the IP address that the device used to access Internet services, such as email, banking, and online shopping. However, the problem with the device location using its IP address is the unknown evidential value, which is used to admit the evidence in the case. This work introduces a method to process free and constantly updated data to assess the evidential value of the IP country location. The evidential value is assessed for several countries by analyzing historical data over 8 years. Tampering with the location evidence is discussed, as well as its detection. The source code to replicate the results and to apply the updated data to future evidence is available.
Behavioural and Organisational Factors Determining Blockchain Adoption
Authors: Gharehdaghi Mandana , Kamann Dirk-Jan F.
Published: March 2023

Aims: To explore and describe behavioural and organisational factors playing a role in the adoption of blockchain technology in the supply network, next to technical aspects.

Research Questions: (1) “Why would companies use it and insert information considered as strategic?” (2) “Why would customers use it and consumers trust it?” (3) “Is it suitable for every firm?”.

Study Design/Methodology: A literature review combined with mind mapping describes potentially promising strong aspects and vulnerabilities. Limitations in present blockchain use are considered before moving towards a research method that observes, explains and predicts relevant human decision behaviour. A mixed methods approach of qualitative research applying Atlas.ti uses participative observations next to narratives and interviews with selected interviewees. This Step Wise Two Stage MiniDelphi approach was used, resulting in the opinions of experts in Supply Chain Management, fashion, food, HRM and IT.

Theoretical Framework: A Grounded Theory based methodology is used; various types of Institutional Isomorphism form the main theoretical framework, next to the Resource Based View and Resource Dependence Theory. The behavioural and organisational factors relevant in actual decision making are captured in a hypothetical LISREL model.

Findings: Blockchain technology has the potential to facilitate secure information transfer, meeting demands of transparency, traceability, confidentiality, security, integrity and availability. However, it expires that adoption not so much is determined by technical aspects. The willingness to insert strategic information satisfying downstream actors, is balancing the trust downstream actors have in upstream actors. Factors that make upstream actors decide to adopt are (1) price and total costs versus perceived additional revenue, reputation and competitiveness; (2) coercion, mimetic behaviour, following the industry norms, regulation or other external drivers. Using block chain as marketing tool for only part of the total volume of goods occurs. Volatile and momentary supply networks are less suitable; so are situations where the supplier has no choice but to use the buyer’s supply network, controlled by the buyer.
Development and Validation of UV-Spectroscopic Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride and Pravastatin Sodium
Authors: Sharma Ankita , Verma Kapil Kumar , Kumar Inder , Bala Anju , Thakur Bhumika , Thakur Vandana
Published: March 2023

Introduction: A new, simple, precise, accurate, and reproducible method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride (MH) and Pravastatin Sodium (PS) in pure form.

Methodology: Simultaneous estimation of Metformin Hydrochloride (MH) and Pravastatin Sodium (PS) was estimated by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry using the absorbance subtraction method. The method was based on the measurement of absorbance at two wavelengths 232 nm and 238 nm, of metformin and Pravastatin Sodium respectively. These studies were performed at three different levels (75%, 100%, and 125%) and the % recovery of MH and PS was calculated.

Results: The LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.481 μg/ml and 0.670μg/ml for MH and 1.15μg/ml and 1.68μg/ml for PS respectively. All the statically analyses were within the standard limits. It proves that the method was repeatable and selective for the simultaneous.

Conclusion: Therefore, the present study concludes that it can be successfully used for simultaneous estimation of MH and PS in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The developed method was found to be simple, precise, and accurate.
Prevalence and Pattern of Visual Impairment among Adult Population in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Moyegbone John E. , Nwose Ezekiel U. , Kio Franklin E. , Agege Emmanuel A. , Omatsuli Tuoyo , Odoko Joseph O. , Akuirene Omatseye A.
Published: March 2023

Aim: Visual impairment is a public health problem globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of visual impairment among adult population in Mangu Local Government Area (L.G.A), Plateau State, Nigeria.

Study Design:  A population-based descriptive cross-sectional survey of 802 adult population aged 18 years and above was conducted in Mangu L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design.

Methodology: Subjects were evaluated using a magnifying loupe, Snellen E chart, direct ophthalmoscope and torchlight. Vision status was defined using World Health Organization categories of visual impairment based on presenting visual acuity (VA).

Results: Out of a total of 960 respondents enumerated for the study, 802 (83.5%) adults participated. Prevalence of blindness (presenting VA of less than 3/60 in the better eye) was 8.1%; prevalence of low vision (presenting VA of at least 3/60 but less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 27.6%; prevalence of overall visual impairment (presenting VA less than 6/18 in the better eye) was 35.7%. Prevalence of visual impairment was higher in males (40.8%) than in females (34.9%), although not statistically significant (p=0.098). Prevalence of blindness and impaired vision increased significantly with increasing age, from 21.7% at 20 - 39 years to 83.6% among those aged ≥80 years (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Much can be done by individuals, governments and non-governmental organizations to reduce so much blindness and vision loss through cost-effective interventions such as wears of sunglasses and other preventive measures to prevent ultraviolet radiation effect on their eyes.
Effectiveness and Safety of Trabectedin and Radiotherapy for Patients With Myxoid Liposarcoma
Authors: Sanfilippo Roberta , Hindi Nadia , Cruz Jurado Josefina , Blay Jean-Yves , Lopez-Pousa Antonio , Italiano Antoine , Alvarez Rosa , Gutierrez Antonio , Rincón-Perez Inmaculada , Sangalli Claudia , Pérez Aguiar Jose Luis , Romero Jesús , Morosi Carlo , Sunyach Marie-Pierre , Fabbroni Chiara , Romagosa Cleofe , Ranchere-Vince Dominique , Dei Tos Angelo P. , Casali Paolo G. , Martin-Broto Javier , Gronchi Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Importance

Preclinical data about the synergistic activity of radiotherapy (RT) and trabectedin have been reported. The combination of trabectedin and RT in treating myxoid liposarcomas appears worth exploring.

Objective

To explore the effectiveness and safety of trabectedin combined with RT.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This international, open-label, phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial including 46 patients with myxoid liposarcoma was conducted in 4 centers in Spain, 1 in Italy, and 2 in France from July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2019. Eligible patients had to have a histologic, centrally reviewed diagnosis of localized resectable myxoid liposarcoma arising from an extremity or the trunk wall.

Interventions

Trabectedin was administered at the recommended dose stemming from the phase 1 trial (1.5 mg/m2), with intravenous infusion during 24 hours every 21 days for a total of 3 cycles. Radiotherapy was started after completion of the first trabectedin infusion (cycle 1, day 2). Patients received 25 fractions of radiation for a total of 45 Gy. Surgery was planned 3 to 4 weeks after the administration of the last preoperative cycle and not until 4 weeks after the end of preoperative RT. Pathologic specimens were mapped in tumor sections to estimate the histologic changes and the percentage of viable tumor after neoadjuvant treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary objective of the phase 2 part of the study was overall response. Secondary objectives were effectiveness measured by relapse-free survival and activity measured by functional imaging and pathologic response.

Results

A total of 46 patients were enrolled. Four patients were not evaluable. The median age was 43 years (range, 18-77 years), and 31 patients were male (67%). Overall, 9 of 41 patients (22%) achieved a partial response with neoadjuvant treatment with trabectedin and RT, with 5 of 39 patients (13%) achieving a complete pathologic response and 20 of 39 patients (51%) having 10% or less of a viable remaining tumor. Partial responses according to Choi criteria were observed in 24 of 29 evaluable patients (83%), and no patient had disease progression. Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although the primary end point of this phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial was not met (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response in ≥70% of patients), results suggest this combination was well tolerated and effective in terms of pathologic response. Thus, trabectedin plus RT might be a treatment option regarding tolerability; further evidence should be generated in this setting.
Prevalence of Delayed or Forgone Care Due to Patient-Clinician Identity Discordance Among US Cancer Survivors
Authors: Patel Vishal R. , Gupta Arjun , Blaes Anne H. , Winkfield Karen M. , Haynes Alex B. , Hussaini S. M. Qasim
Published: March 2023

This case-control study assesses the prevalence of patient-reported delayed or forgone care due to patient-clinician identity discordance among cancer survivors and factors associated with this barrier to care.
Development and Interrater Agreement of a Novel Classification System Combining Medical and Surgical Adverse Event Reporting
Authors: Stone Ashley , Jiang Sydney T. , Stahl Maximilian C. , Yang Christina J. , Smith Richard V. , Mehta Vikas
Published: March 2023

Importance

Categorization systems for adverse events are not standardized across care settings and specialties and do not always include near miss events (events where there was potential for patient harm, but where no actual harm occurred), making it difficult to effectively assess patient safety for quality improvement.

Objective

To develop and assess interrater agreement on a classification system for adverse events reporting that incorporates events in both inpatient and outpatient settings across medical and surgical subspecialties including near miss events.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center including 174 patient cases occurring from 2018 to 2020 was carried out. Data were abstracted from a Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Quality Assurance database. The cases were comprised of near miss and adverse events occurring in adult and pediatric patients in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department settings. The ratings took place in March and April of 2022.

Exposures

Four raters (2 attending physicians and 2 senior resident physicians) were recruited to classify these cases according to 3 classification systems: the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC-MERP), Clavien-Dindo, and our novel Quality Improvement Classification System (QICS).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was overall interrater agreements using Fleiss κ.

Results

Across all 4 raters grading 174 cases, the NCC-MERP, Clavien-Dindo, and QICS received a κ score. Fair-to-moderate interrater reliability was observed between the resident and attending physician groups across the 3 classification systems: NCC-MERP (κ = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.30-0.35), Clavien-Dindo (κ = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.43-0.50), and QICS (κ = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.39-0.44). Strong interrater concordance was observed for complications across all scenarios.

Conclusion and Relevance

This cross-sectional study found that the new QICS classification scheme was applicable to wide-ranging clinical scenarios with a focus on patient-centered outcomes including near miss events. In addition, QICS allowed for the comparison of patient outcome data in a multitude of settings.
Evaluation of indoor air dose rate based on Cs‐137 depth distribution in surrounding artificially paved surfaces surveyed 10 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident
Authors: Kobayashi Hikaru , Suto Masahito , Otsuki Kentaro , Yoshimura Kazuya , Yoshida Hiroko
Published: March 2023

Understanding residual radioactive contamination state and the resulting radiation environment is vital before reconstructing the lives of residents in areas affected by nuclear power plant accidents. In this study, we surveyed the depth profiles of Cs‐137 in three artificially paved ground surfaces: impermeable asphalt, permeable asphalt, and concrete, in areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident after a period of 10 years and analyzed the gamma‐ray air dose rate distribution in a two‐story wooden house model surrounded by different ground surfaces using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The air dose rate distribution tendencies within the building for different surrounding ground surfaces were clarified by analyzing the transport of gamma rays emitted from the Cs‐137 in the ground. Moreover, the shielding effect of an ordinal concrete fence on the indoor air dose rate was analyzed. The analysis showed that the indoor air dose rate was higher in an environment with artificial pavement than in that with a soil surface, and even a simple measure, such as installing an ordinal concrete fence, could significantly reduce indoor radiation dose rates.
Arya(n)
Authors: Ognibene Paolo
Published: March 2023

“Aryan” is the self‐designation (endonym) of a group of peoples speaking Indo‐European languages in ancient Iran and India. These peoples designated themselves as “Aryans,” as opposed to other peoples who were defined as “non‐Aryans.” There is no agreement among scholars about the original homeland of the Aryan peoples, although most believe it should be sought in Central Asia, most likely in the culture of Sintashta (Chelyabinsk region, east of the Urals) or more generally in the culture of Andronovo.
Cosmography, Iran/Central Asia 600–1500
Authors: Lavins Imants
Published: March 2023

Cosmography describes and maps the sky, the Earth, and the universe. It is based on geocentric assumptions and a belief in homologies between the spatial order of terrestrial and celestial spheres. There is no single tradition of cosmography in Islam. Indian cosmological concepts, as well as pre‐Islamic Persian ideas, were familiar to scholars and undoubtedly influenced them, much like ancient Greek ideas did. Not all of them were adopted. The most widely known concept was the division of the inhabited world intokishwars(keshvars) and its representation in cosmographic diagrams.
Pearl Millet
Authors: Champion Louis
Published: March 2023

Pearl millet,
Pennisetum glaucum,
was likely domesticated in the southwestern fringes of the Sahel zone of West Africa in northeast Mali beginning before 2500
bce
, and from this region rapidly spread, within less than 1000 years of domestication, eastwards across the Sahelian/north Savanna zone to India, with archaeobotanical remains providing evidence for the spread of other African crops by 1700
bce
.
Terracing in Africa
Authors: Davies Matthew I. J.
Published: March 2023

Terracing, predominantly for agriculture, is surprisingly common across the African continent. A range of terracing types are in evidence, from trash and brush lines pilled across fields to well‐built drystone terraces which can be combined with irrigation and drainage features. Although poorly studied and dated, most terracing appears to date to the last five hundred years and is largely associated with the cultivation of sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and more recently maize. In several parts of the continent, sophisticated terracing systems work in conjunction with largescale irrigation and are linked to complex settlement structures and patterns.
Cheras
Authors: Veluthat Kesavan
Published: March 2023

The Cheras are among the traditional chiefs of the deep south of India. Hero‐lauds in the old Tamil poetry, known as the Caṅkam Literature, sing their praise. There are references to them in classical Greco‐Roman accounts and their existence is attested by archaeological and numismatic evidence. Their polity largely conformed to what may be described as a chiefdom.
Devadāna
Authors: Subbarayalu Y.
Published: March 2023

Devadānam
denoted the land gift to temples in medieval times. A
devadāna
gift transferred some share in the produce of the land or some taxes on it to the temple for conducting rituals and services. Over time there was an increasing tendency to transfer all the rights in land, when the term
devadāna
was replaced by the designation
tirunāmattukāṇi
, “the landed property of the deity.” Such
tirunāmattukāṇi
lands were managed by the temple trustees by leasing them out to the cultivators of the land subject to some conditions. This created stratified agrarian relations in temple villages. The Coḷa government's assignment of
jīvitam
(life‐time service tenure) in the
devadāna
villages to its officials and military people added to the complexity of land relations.
Ūr
Authors: Subbarayalu Y.
Published: March 2023

The word
ūr
refers to a village in Dravidian languages, and still forms part of the place names of many localities that survive today in South India. With the growth of inscriptions as important sources for agrarian history from the sixth century, we have come to know more about the social organization, structure, layout, and typologies of villages throughout South India as they developed in the great early medieval empires of the Pallavas, Coḷas, and Pāṇḍyas.
Rājataraṅgiṇī
Authors: Obrock Luther
Published: March 2023

This entry provides a short introduction to the
Rājataraṅgiṇī
of Kalhaṇa.
Iron and 2‐Oxoglutarate‐Dependent Isonitrile‐Forming Enzymes
Authors: Chen Tzu‐Yu , Guo Yisong , Chang Wei‐chen
Published: March 2023

The isonitrile moiety, composed of an NC connection, is a commonly used functional group in chemical synthesis due to its highly reactive nature toward nucleophile, electrophile, and radical. Isonitrile‐containing natural products have shown diverse biological properties including virulence, antimicrobial activities, and metal acquisition. Despite its abundance in natural products, how isonitrile is introduced remains understudied. Recently,
N
‐glycinyl moiety has been identified as a biosynthon for isonitrile wherein several nonheme iron and 2‐oxoglutarate‐dependent (Fe/2OG) enzymes have been identified to enable this reaction. Distinct from canonical oxygenation or halogenation catalyzed by Fe/2OG enzymes, installation of the isonitrile group from a glycinyl moiety is a four‐electron oxidation of the substrate and involves decarboxylation‐assisted desaturation, thus representing an uncommon reaction type. To elucidate plausible reaction mechanism, several Fe/2OG‐dependent enzymes involved in isonitrile‐containing peptides and polyketides were characterized. Combining mechanistic probes design, protein X‐ray crystallography, biochemical and biophysical characterizations, and mutagenesis, a plausible reaction pathway was established. Formation of isonitrile involves two sequential reactions. Following a CH bond cleavage triggered by an Fe(IV)‐oxo, a carboxyaldimine species is produced in the first reaction. In the second reaction, decarboxylation‐assisted desaturation of the carboxyaldimine intermediate affords the NC moiety.
Thermal and Electrical Conductivity of Copper‐Graphene Heterosystem: An Effect of Strain and Thickness
Authors: Samal Aiswarya , Kushwaha Anoop Kumar , Das Debashish , Sahoo Mihir Ranjan , Lanzillo Nicholas A. , Nayak Saroj Kumar
Published: March 2023

Copper‐graphene (Cu/Gr) composite carries high thermal (κ) and electrical (σ) conductivities compared with pristine copper film/surface. For further improvement, strain is applied (compressive and tensile) and thickness is changed (of both copper and graphene). It is observed that electronic thermal conductivity (κe) and σ enhance from 320.72 to 869.765 W mK−1 and 5.28 × 107 to 23.01 × 107 S m−1, respectively, by applying 0.20% compressive strain. With the increase in copper thickness (three to seven layers) in Cu(111)/single‐layer‐graphene (SLG) heterosystem, κe increases from 320.72 to 571.81 W mK−1 while electrical resistivity (ρ ∝ (1/σ)) decreases from 0.189 × 10−7 to 0.117 × 10−7 Ωm. Furthermore, with the increase in graphene thickness (one to four layers) in seven‐layer Cu(111)/multilayer‐graphene (MLG) heterosystem, κe enhances upto 126% while ρ decreases upto 70% compared with the three‐layer Cu(111)/SLG. A large available state near Fermi level (of Cu/Gr heterosystem) offers the conduction of more electrons from valence to conduction bands. The increasing thickness broadens this state and enhances conduction electrons. The electron localization function decreases with increasing thickness, suggesting electrons are delocalized at copper‐graphene junction, resulting in an increase of free electrons that enhance κe and σ. Herein, it is useful in advancing the thermal management of electronic chips and in applying hybrid copper‐graphene interconnects.
Impact of Microstructures on the Movement of Droplets Regulated by Bioinspired Functional Wedge‐Shaped Surfaces
Authors: Li Jing , Yu Shouyang , Feng Qunxiang , Du Feng , Du Xin , Ren Luquan
Published: March 2023

At present, bioinspired functional surfaces have garnered widespread research attention due to the application of directional droplets movement. Herein, inspired by the anisotropic of rice leaves and conical structures of cactus, a bionic wedge‐shaped surface with microstructure of “rice leaf” based on the laser method is reported. In addition, the impact of the microstructure geometrical parameters in the wedge‐shaped surface on the droplet moving anisotropy and manipulation capacity is discussed. Herein, it is found that the movement distance of droplets is effectively improved by regulating the rib‐like microstructure topography and changing the wedge angle. Meanwhile, the movement distance and spreading direction of droplets are controlled by constructing an alternating interface. The results demonstrate that the droplet got optimal displace distance, up to 13 mm by 6.43 s, with the rib‐like microstructure of 0.03 mm and the wedge angle of 10°. When the droplet volume is 40 μL, the droplet is able to separate from the control distance in the alternating interface, after that the droplet moves along the new microstructure direction in the wedge‐shaped surface. Herein, it provides a useful reference for droplet directional movement and water collection.
Laser Cladding of Layered Ti/Nb/Cu Cathode with Homogeneous Arc Ablation Behaviors
Authors: Guan Weimian , Gao Mingyu , Li Zhihui , Liu Jiabin , Yuan Jie , Long Yongsheng , Wang Hongtao
Published: March 2023

Arc ablation threatens the cathode operating time and restricts the development of high‐power arc heaters. Surface modification is an effective strategy in improving cathode ablation resistance without reducing matrix conductivities. Herein, Nb layer and Ti layer are laser clad on Cu matrix to decrease the arc ablation of Cu cathode. The total thickness of laser‐clad Nb/Ti layer reaches 1850 μm. The Nb layer restrains Cu from diluting into surface cladding and no detrimental Ti–Cu intermetallic is formed. The surface Ti content is as high as 98.34 at%, guaranteeing the arc discharge homogeneity. The arc ablation behaviors of Ti/Nb/Cu cathodes are investigated in air atmosphere. The layered cathode discharges and ablates homogeneously. The arc discharge center is shallow with no appearance of deep pits or craters. The maximum ablation depth (72.1 μm) after 30 s discharging is ≈33.4% lower than that of Cu cathode. Besides, the cathode ablation rate, 1.61 μg C−1, is ≈27.5% lower than Cu cathode. The improved arc ablation resistance is interpreted in the protective effect of refractory TiO2 layer formed during air arc discharging.
Atomic Displacements Enabling the Observation of the Anomalous Hall Effect in a Non‐Collinear Antiferromagnet
Authors: Rimmler Berthold H. , Hazra Binoy K. , Pal Banabir , Mohseni Katayoon , Taylor James M. , Bedoya‐Pinto Amilcar , Deniz Hakan , Tangi Malleswararao , Kostanovskiy Ilya , Luo Chen , Neumann Robin R. , Ernst Arthur , Radu Florin , Mertig Ingrid , Meyerheim Holger L. , Parkin Stuart S. P.
Published: March 2023

Antiferromagnets with non‐collinear spin structures display various properties that make them attractive for spintronic devices. Some of the most interesting examples are an anomalous Hall effect despite negligible magnetization and a spin Hall effect with unusual spin polarization directions. However, these effects can only be observed when the sample is set predominantly into a single antiferromagnetic domain state. This can only be achieved when the compensated spin structure is perturbed and displays weak moments due to spin canting that allows for external domain control. In thin films of cubic non‐collinear antiferromagnets, this imbalance is previously assumed to require tetragonal distortions induced by substrate strain. Here, it is shown that in Mn3SnN and Mn3GaN, spin canting is due to structural symmetry lowering induced by large displacements of the magnetic manganese atoms away from high‐symmetry positions. These displacements remain hidden in X‐ray diffraction when only probing the lattice metric and require measurement of a large set of scattering vectors to resolve the local atomic positions. In Mn3SnN, the induced net moments enable the observation of the anomalous Hall effect with an unusual temperature dependence, which is conjectured to result from a bulk‐like temperature‐dependent coherent spin rotation within the kagome plane.