bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systems epidemiology and cancer: A review of the National Institutes of Health extramural grant portfolio 2013–2018
Authors: Shams-White Marissa M. , Barajas Rolando , Jensen Roxanne E. , Rotunno Melissa , Dueck Hannah , Ginexi Elizabeth M. , Rogers Scott D. , Gillanders Elizabeth M. , Mechanic Leah E.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Systems epidemiology approaches may lead to a better understanding of the complex and dynamic multi-level constellation of contributors to cancer risk and outcomes and help target interventions. This grant portfolio analysis aimed to describe the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) investments in systems epidemiology and to identify gaps in the cancer systems epidemiology portfolio.

Methods

The analysis examined grants funded (2013–2018) through seven NIH systems science Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) as well as cancer-specific systems epidemiology grants funded by NCI during that same time. Study characteristics were extracted from the grant abstracts and specific aims and coded.

Results

Of the 137 grants awarded under the NIH FOAs, 52 (38%) included systems epidemiology. Only five (4%) were focused on cancer systems epidemiology. The NCI-wide search (N = 453 grants) identified 35 grants (8%) that included cancer systems epidemiology in their specific aims. Most of these grants examined epidemiology and surveillance-based questions (60%); fewer addressed clinical care or clinical trials (37%). Fifty-four percent looked at multiple scales within the individual (e.g., cell, tissue, organ), 49% looked beyond the individual (e.g., individual, community, population), and few (9%) included both. Across all grants examined, the systems epidemiology grants primarily focused on discovery or prediction, rather than on impacts of intervention or policy.

Conclusions

The most notable finding was that grants focused on cancer versus other diseases reflected a small percentage of the portfolio, highlighting the need to encourage more cancer systems epidemiology research. Opportunities include encouraging more multiscale research and continuing the support for broad examination of domains in these studies. Finally, the nascent discipline of systems epidemiology could benefit from the creation of standard terminology and definitions to guide future progress.
A comparative study on the lipidome of normal knee synovial fluid from humans and horses
Authors: Kosinska Marta K. , Eichner Gerrit , Schmitz Gerd , Liebisch Gerhard , Steinmeyer Jürgen
Published: April 2021

The current limitations in evaluating synovial fluid (SF) components in health and disease and between species are due in part to the lack of data on normal SF, because of low availability of SF from healthy articular joints. Our study aimed to quantify species-dependent differences in phospholipid (PL) profiles of normal knee SF obtained from equine and human donors. Knee SF was obtained during autopsy by arthrocentesis from 15 and 13 joint-healthy human and equine donors, respectively. PL species extracted from SF were quantitated by mass spectrometry whereas ELISA determined apolipoprotein (Apo) B-100. Wilcoxon’s rank sum test with adjustment of scores for tied values was applied followed by Holm´s method to account for multiple testing. Six lipid classes with 89 PL species were quantified, namely phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine, plasmalogen, and ceramide. Importantly, equine SF contains about half of the PL content determined in human SF with some characteristic changes in PL composition. Nutritional habits, decreased apolipoprotein levels and altered enzymatic activities may have caused the observed different PL profiles. Our study provides comprehensive quantitative data on PL species levels in normal human and equine knee SF so that research in joint diseases and articular lubrication can be facilitated.
Impact of smoke-free ordinance strength on smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence
Authors: Nguyen Ryan H. , Vater Laura B. , Timsina Lava R. , Durm Gregory A. , Rupp Katelin , Wright Keylee , Spitznagle Miranda H. , Paul Brandy , Jalal Shadia I. , Carter-Harris Lisa , Hudmon Karen S. , Hanna Nasser H. , Loehrer Patrick J. , Ceppa DuyKhanh P.
Published: April 2021

Background

Smoke-free ordinances (SFO) have been shown to be effective public health interventions, but there is limited data on the impact SFO on lung cancer outcomes. We explored the effect of county-level SFO strength with smoking prevalence and lung cancer incidence in Indiana.

Methods

We obtained county-level lung cancer incidence from the Indiana State Cancer Registry and county-level characteristics from the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission’s policy database between 1995 and 2016. Using generalized estimating equations, we performed multivariable analyses of smoking prevalence and age-adjusted lung cancer rates with respect to the strength of smoke-free ordinances at the county level over time.

Results

Of Indiana’s 92 counties, 24 had a SFO by 2011. In 2012, Indiana enacted a state-wide SFO enforcing at least moderate level SFO protection. Mean age-adjusted lung cancer incidence per year was 76.8 per 100,000 population and mean smoking prevalence per year was 25% during the study period. Counties with comprehensive or moderate SFO had a smoking prevalence 1.2% (95% CI [-1.88, -0.52]) lower compared with counties with weak or no SFO. Counties that had comprehensive or moderate SFO also had an 8.4 (95% CI [-11.5, -5.3]) decrease in new lung cancer diagnosis per 100,000 population per year compared with counties that had weak or no SFO.

Conclusion

Counties with stronger smoke-free air ordinances were associated with decreased smoking prevalence and fewer new lung cancer cases per year. Strengthening SFO is paramount to decreasing lung cancer incidence.
CT-based determination of excessive visceral adipose tissue is associated with an impaired survival in critically ill patients
Authors: Wirtz Theresa H. , Loosen Sven H. , Schulze-Hagen Maximilian , Weiskirchen Ralf , Buendgens Lukas , Abu Jhaisha Samira , Brozat Jonathan F. , Puengel Tobias , Vucur Mihael , Paffenholz Pia , Kuhl Christiane , Tacke Frank , Trautwein Christian , Luedde Tom , Roderburg Christoph , Koch Alexander
Published: April 2021

Objective

Obesity is a negative prognostic factor for various clinical conditions. In this observational cohort study, we evaluated a CT-based assessment of the adipose tissue distribution as a potential non-invasive prognostic parameter in critical illness.

Methods

Routine CT-scans upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) were used to analyze the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas at the 3rd lumbar vertebra in 155 patients. Results were correlated with various prognostic markers and both short-term- and overall survival. Multiple statistical tools were used for data analysis.

Results

We observed a significantly larger visceral adipose tissue area in septic patients compared to non-sepsis patients. Interestingly, patients requiring mechanical ventilation had a significantly higher amount of visceral adipose tissue correlating with the duration of mechanical ventilation. Moreover, both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue area significantly correlated with several laboratory markers. While neither the visceral nor the subcutaneous adipose tissue area was predictive for short-term ICU survival, patients with a visceral adipose tissue area above the optimal cut-off (241.4 cm2) had a significantly impaired overall survival compared to patients with a lower visceral adipose tissue area.

Conclusions

Our study supports a prognostic role of the individual adipose tissue distribution in critically ill patients. However, additional investigations need to confirm our suggestion that routine CT-based assessment of adipose tissue distribution can be used to yield further information on the patients’ clinical course. Moreover, future studies should address functional and metabolic analysis of different adipose tissue compartments in critical illness.
The impact of state cannabis legislation, county-level socioeconomic and dog-level characteristics on reported cannabis poisonings of companion dogs in the USA (2009–2014)
Authors: Howard-Azzeh Mohammad , Pearl David L. , Swirski Alexandra , Ward Madeline , Hovdey Roksolana , O’Sullivan Terri L. , Berke Olaf
Published: April 2021

With current trends in cannabis legalization, large efforts are being made to understand the effects of less restricted legislation on human consumption, health, and abuse of these products. Little is known about the effects of cannabis legalization and increased cannabis use on vulnerable populations, such as dogs. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different state-level cannabis legislation, county-level socioeconomic factors, and dog-level characteristics on dog cannabis poisoning reports to an animal poison control center (APCC). Data were obtained concerning reports of dog poisoning events, county characteristics, and state cannabis legislation from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) APCC, the US Census Bureau, and various public policy-oriented and government websites, respectively. A multilevel logistic regression model with random intercepts for county and state was fitted to investigate the associations between the odds of a call to the APCC being related to a dog being poisoned by a cannabis product and the following types of variables: dog characteristics, county-level socioeconomic characteristics, and the type of state-level cannabis legislation. There were significantly higher odds of a call being related to cannabis in states with lower penalties for cannabis use and possession. The odds of these calls were higher in counties with higher income variability, higher percentage of urban population, and among smaller, male, and intact dogs. These calls increased throughout the study period (2009–2014). Reporting of cannabis poisonings were more likely to come from veterinarians than dog owners. Reported dog poisonings due to cannabis appear to be influenced by dog-level and community-level factors. This study may increase awareness to the public, public health, and veterinary communities of the effects of recreational drug use on dog populations. This study highlights the need to educate dog owners about safeguarding cannabis products from vulnerable populations.
An application of Bayesian Belief Networks to assess management scenarios for aquaculture in a complex tropical lake system in Indonesia
Authors: Yuniarti Ivana , Glenk Klaus , McVittie Alistair , Nomosatryo Sulung , Triwisesa Endra , Suryono Tri , Santoso Arianto Budi , Ridwansyah Iwan
Published: April 2021

A Bayesian Belief Network, validated using past observational data, is applied to conceptualize the ecological response of Lake Maninjau, a tropical lake ecosystem in Indonesia, to tilapia cage farms operating on the lake and to quantify its impacts to assist decision making. The model captures ecosystem services trade-offs between cage farming and native fish loss. It is used to appraise options for lake management related to the minimization of the impacts of the cage farms. The constructed model overcomes difficulties with limited data availability to illustrate the complex physical and biogeochemical interactions contributing to triggering mass fish kills due to upwelling and the loss in the production of native fish related to the operation of cage farming. The model highlights existing information gaps in the research related to the management of the farms in the study area, which is applicable to other tropical lakes in general. Model results suggest that internal phosphorous loading (IPL) should be recognized as one of the primary targets of the deep eutrophic tropical lake restoration efforts. Theoretical and practical contributions of the model and model expansions are discussed. Short- and longer-term actions to contribute to a more sustainable management are recommended and include epilimnion aeration and sediment capping.
EmoTIC: Impact of a game-based social-emotional programme on adolescents
Authors: de la Barrera Usue , Mónaco Estefanía , Postigo-Zegarra Silvia , Gil-Gómez José-Antonio , Montoya-Castilla Inmaculada
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Technologies provide a brilliant opportunity to promote social-emotional competences, well-being and adjustment in adolescence. Game-based programmes and serious games are digital tools that pursue an educational goal in an attractive environment for adolescents. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the effectiveness of emoTIC, a game-based social-emotional programme designed according to Mayer, Caruso, and Salovey’s model of emotional intelligence.

Materials and methods

The participants were 119 adolescents between 11 and 15 years, randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The adolescents completed questionnaires to assess their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, affect balance, difficulties, prosocial behaviour, depression, anxiety and stress.

Results

The MANCOVA results showed that adolescents who completed the game-based programme had improved self-esteem, affect balance, emotional symptoms, behavioural problems, and hyperactivity (Wilks’ λ = .77; F = 2.10; p = .035). Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that adolescents in the experimental group had a greater change in self-esteem and affect balance (positive β), while their emotional problems and hyperactivity decreased (negative β). Anxiety moderated the influence of the intervention on self-esteem (b = .04; t = -2.55; p ≤ .05; LLCI = -0.43, ULCI = -0.05). Adolescents with low or medium anxiety improved their self-esteem with the intervention, while those with high anxiety did not develop it.

Conclusions

The use of technology in social-emotional programmes could be the first step in increasing adolescents’ interest in emotions and emoTIC could be considered a useful programme which influences their personal, emotional and social factors.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial identifier: NCT04414449.
Extensive activation, tissue trafficking, turnover and functional impairment of NK cells in COVID-19 patients at disease onset associates with subsequent disease severity
Authors: Bozzano Federica , Dentone Chiara , Perrone Carola , Di Biagio Antonio , Fenoglio Daniela , Parodi Alessia , Mikulska Malgorzata , Bruzzone Bianca , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Vena Antonio , Taramasso Lucia , Nicolini Laura , Patroniti Nicolò , Pelosi Paolo , Gratarola Angelo , De Palma Raffaele , Filaci Gilberto , Bassetti Matteo , De Maria Andrea ,   on behalf of GECOVID study group
Published: April 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes severe respiratory involvement (COVID-19) in 5–20% of patients through initial immune derangement, followed by intense cytokine production and vascular leakage. Evidence of immune involvement point to the participation of T, B, and NK cells in the lack of control of virus replication leading to COVID-19. NK cells contribute to early phases of virus control and to the regulation of adaptive responses. The precise mechanism of NK cell dysregulation is poorly understood, with little information on tissue margination or turnover. We investigated these aspects by multiparameter flow cytometry in a cohort of 28 patients hospitalized with early COVID-19.

Relevant decreases in CD56brightCD16+/- NK subsets were detected, with a shift of circulating NK cells toward more mature CD56dimCD16+KIR+NKG2A+ and “memory” KIR+CD57+CD85j+ cells with increased inhibitory NKG2A and KIR molecules. Impaired cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production were associated with conserved expression of natural cytotoxicity receptors and perforin. Moreover, intense NK cell activation with increased HLA-DR and CD69 expression was associated with the circulation of CD69+CD103+ CXCR6+ tissue-resident NK cells and of CD34+DNAM-1brightCXCR4+ inflammatory precursors to mature functional NK cells. Severe disease trajectories were directly associated with the proportion of CD34+DNAM-1brightCXCR4+ precursors and inversely associated with the proportion of NKG2D+ and of CD103+ NK cells.

Intense NK cell activation and trafficking to and from tissues occurs early in COVID-19, and is associated with subsequent disease progression, providing an insight into the mechanism of clinical deterioration. Strategies to positively manipulate tissue-resident NK cell responses may provide advantages to future therapeutic and vaccine approaches.
Nefrología y neurología
Authors: Lorenzo Gómez María Fernanda , Fraile Gómez María Pilar , Macías Núñez Juan Florencio
Published: April 2021

Esta obra presenta un compendio resumido, claro y conciso, útil para los médicos no especializados en la materia, así como para los estudiantes en su formación de pregrado, sobre las patologías que afectan a los riñones, vías urinarias y aparato genital masculino para el ejercicio médico, puesto que, en lo que no corresponde a nuestra especialización, todos somos médicos generales. Esta obra aborda la Nefrología, la Urología y la Andrología con una concepción actual integradora e interdisciplinar, escrita por especialistas del campo de la Nefrología, la Urología y la Medicina de Familia. Todos ellos atienden diariamente enfermos y por ello han logrado verter en cada uno de los capítulos su proceder clínico habitual y la forma real de abordarlas junto a las actualizaciones de estos temas. Los editores de este manual somos profesores de la asignatura de Nefrología y de Urología en la Facultad de Medicina de Salamanca y en nuestra experiencia asistencial y docente hemos decidido elaborar este manual que se ciñe y glosa el contenido de la Nefrourología.
Tipologie di bambini maschi mostri nell’immaginario medievale
Authors: Giallongo Angela
Published: April 2021

Il contributo rileva l’importanza educativa dei bambini mostruosi in alcuni esempi significativi della letteratura medievale francese ed italiana. L’individuazione di quattro bambini maschi problematici è interpretata alla luce delle relazioni emotive con gli adulti.
Salud, higiene y educación. Los primeros sanatorios marítimos infantiles en el extranjero
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez Juan Félix
Published: April 2021

En el estudio que presentamos se analiza la importancia que tuvo la divulgación científica de las bondades del clima marino para la cura de diversas enfermedades infantiles. La aplicación práctica del agua y ambiente marino se llevó a cabo a través de sanatorios infantiles y barcos escuelas flotantes. El primer centro se estableció en Inglaterra, expandiéndose durante todo el siglo XIX y primer tercio del XX por toda Europa y América. Francia, Italia y Alemania se destacaron como países al instaurar una amplia red de centros marítimos para niños débiles. Los receptores de este tratamiento fueron niños enfermos o predispuestos de las clases más populares.El objetivo de reducir las elevadas tasas de mortalidad infantil que se producían y mejorar la salud de los niños pobres se fue alcanzando de forma eficaz y paulatina. La combinación de actividades sanitarias y educativas que recibían los ingresados, se materializaba en el cumplimiento de un horario determinado, en el aprendizaje de un conjunto de normas higiénicas, juegos variados, baños, lectura de cuentos y una enseñanza rudimentaria de la escritura y lectura.
Historicidade da infância no Brasil
Authors: Salvino Gomes Eliseudo , Costa Filho José
Published: April 2021

O presente artigo tem a finalidade de discutir diferentes concepções de infância; procurando entender o seu relacionamento na sociedade medieval, avaliando a sua imagem como «o jardim de infância» precocemente inserida no mercado de trabalho. Entretanto, o seu objetivo primordial é apresentar uma breve análise da história da Infância brasileira, considerando o seu conceito de infância, bem como os aspectos da exploração do trabalho infantil, do abuso e exploração sexual infantil e da educação infantil. Destacam-se ademais as influências culturais-econômicas-históricas que podem ser observadas ao longo da estruturação do campo de estudo da Psicologia da Infância e do Direito.
¿Fue Baalbek el templo de Heliogábalo?: Nuevas evidencias
Authors: González García Alberto
Published: April 2021

Hace algunos años, Warwick Ball propuso que el Templo de Elagabal de Emesa, jamás encontrado, debe identificarse con el complejo de templos de Baalbek. Más recientemente, Gary Young ha pretendido mostrar la endeblez de las evidencias con que apoyó tal aserto, así como la falsedad de algunas de sus suposiciones. Tratamos de refutar a Young y demostrar que las evidencias textuales, arqueológicas y epigráficas en realidad apoyan la tesis de Ball, añadiendo algunas nuevas pruebas.
Luces y arquitectura en las iglesias coloniales de la Nueva España y del Perú
Authors: Benfer Robert A.
Published: April 2021

En esta investigación, les presento los resultados de un estudio sobre las iglesias coloniales de Nueva España y el Perú, que muestran cuál fue el propósito de los primeros arquitectos. Estas construcciones fueron diseñadas de tal manera que los haces de luz, especialmente los procedentes de las ventanas de la cúpula, marcasen días de gran importancia astronómica y eclesiástica. La orientación de las iglesias variaba según las ciudades (que generalmente estaban alineadas con los puntos cardinales, normalmente de Este a Oeste) mientras que las misiones rurales estaban orientadas normalmente hacia los solsticios. En muchas ocasiones, la planeación de las ciudades seguía la orientación de las iglesias –aunque hay excepciones–, y algunos centros coloniales todavía conservan una orientación equinoccial o solsticial.Hasta que Rubén Mendoza lo redescubrió en las misiones de California (2005, 2009), ni laicos y clérigos tenían noticia de este fenómeno. El trabajo que les presento aquí extiende su alcance desde las iglesias franciscanas de California hasta las de Texas de la misma orden, llegando también a las iglesias dominicas de México y Perú. Esta investigación muestra cómo el diseño de las iglesias coloniales está pensado para que la trayectoria de los rayos de luz marcara dentro de las iglesias el equinoccio, el solsticio y el día de cruce de cuartos (a mitad de camino entre los otros dos).
Monitorización de lamotrigina en niños
Authors: Díaz Elena , Santos María Dolores
Published: April 2021

En este trabajo se evalúan las variabilidades farmacocinéticas inter e intraindividuales de la lamotrigina en un grupo de población de pacientes epilépticos de edades comprendidas entre 1 y 18 años. Para ello, se hace uso de datos de concentración del fármaco procedentes de la monitorización terapéutica. Se desarrolla un modelo farmacocinético poblacional con el fin de mejorar los resultados clínicos en los pacientes con el fin de mejorar la eficacia y disminuir la incidencia de efectos adversos. Este modelo permite calcular parámetros farmacocinéticos para distintos grupos de edad y situaciones de comedicación y establecer una serie de pautas de dosificación “a priori”. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que el uso de pautas de dosificación generalizadas en este grupo de pacientes presenta riesgos de infra o sobredosificación poniendo de manifiesto la importancia de controlar las concentraciones del fármaco en este grupo de pacientes.
Actividad vascular de fenilpropanoides: verbascósido
Authors: Sánchez Macías Blanca , Montero Gómez María Josefa
Published: April 2021

El verbascósido, también denominado acteósido, se ha encontrado en más de 23 familias de plantas, demostrando, entre muchas otras propiedades, utilidad in vivo como antihipertensivo. Sin embargo, su efecto en el sistema vascular no es conocido por completo. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo el estudio de la reactividad vascular del verbascósido sobre aorta de rata, hipotetizando un posible efecto relajante vascular responsable de la actividad antihipertensiva. Las curvas concentración-respuesta se llevaron a cabo sobre anillos de 3mm de longitud de aorta de rata, evaluando la respuesta a verbascósido y a fenilefrina, acetilcolina, nitroprusiato sódico y calcio en presencia de verbascósido a diferentes concentraciones molares (10-6, 10-5 y 10-4 M). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el verbascósido, in vitro, no tiene un efecto relajante vascular y no afecta al tono basal de la aorta, no potencia la acción contracturante de la fenilefrina, pero, no obstante, sí reduce la relajación vascular derivada de acetilcolina. Por otro lado, potencia ligeramente la acción relajante vascular del nitroprusiato, no interfiriendo en la entrada de calcio extracelular. Así pues, la actividad antihipertensiva in vivo del verbascósido no se explica a través de la actividad in vitro vista en estos experimentos.
Oxidation Assisted Fabrication of Sterculia Gum/Protein Hybrid Hydrogel Networks
through Schiff Base Formation: Characterization and Swelling Kinetic Studies
Authors: Rana Vikrant Singh , Sharma Nisha
Published: April 2021

Polysaccharide/protein hybrid conjugate system becomes an emerging system with integrated
characteristics of protein as well as polysaccharide to be exploited for recent advancements in biomedical
sectors. Present study is an attempt to fabricate a sterculia gum/gelatin hybrid hydrophilic network
system via Schiff base formation using oxidative route at ambient conditions. This route transforms
hydrogel synthesis through green mode without employing any crosslinking systems so as to minimize
the toxicity issues associated. Fabricated Schiff base based gel systems have been characterized by
FT-IR, powdered XRD, FESEM and EDX to confirm the inclusion of new characteristics, morphological
changes and functionalization. Oxidation of natural gum drastically alter the physico-chemical behaviour
of the gum as confirmed by powdered XRD by incorporating crystalline nature of oxidized sterculia
gum as compared to the native sterculia gum and the Schiff base formed. The changes observed are
due to the chemical modification of sterculia gum during Schiff base formation. Further the swelling
capacity of oxidized sterculia gum and crosslinked network formed is also modulated and was less as
compared to native sterculia gum and gelatin. This article also elaborates the mechanistic changes
which take place during oxidative route of hydrogel formation in various segments of sterculia gum
during oxidation and Schiff base formation.
Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural from Cassava (Manihot utilissima pohl) Peels through
Dehydration Reaction using Deep Eutectic Solvent Based on Choline Chloride/Citric Acid
Authors: Manurung R. , Silalahi H. , Winda O. , Siregar A.G.
Published: April 2021

The high cellulose content in cassava peel has an opportunity to produce bio-based chemical products
in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) form. This study aimed to determine the optimum conditions of
glucose dehydration reaction as a result of hydrolysis of the best cassava peel cellulose. The variables
observed in this study were H2SO4 catalyst concentrations in the hydrolysis reaction, temperature and
amount of deep eutectic solvents based on choline chloride/citric acid. The optimum dehydration
reaction conditions in this study was the glucose:deep eutectic solvents mass ratio of 1:6 at the reaction
temperature of 80 ºC. The highest yield of 64.50% at an initial glucose concentration of 5.70% using
a 1.5% H2SO4 catalyst during the hydrolysis of cassava peel cellulose. The results obtained in this
study indicated that addition of choline chloride/citric acid as deep eutectic solvent can increase the
yield of 5-HMF.
Thermo-Physical Properties of Heterocyclic Compounds with
Aliphatic Alcohols at T = 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K
Authors: Ubagaramary D. , Vijayan Enoch I.V. Muthu , Guttedar Ajay , Kumar R. Lalith , Sulebhavi Neetun
Published: April 2021

The densities (ρ), speeds of sound (u), and viscosities (η) have been measured for ternary liquid
mixtures of tetrahydrofuran in cyclohexanone with 1-hexanol and 1-octanol at 303.15-313.15 K over
the entire range of mole fractions and at atmospheric pressure 0.1 MPa. These experimental data have
been used to estimate the thermophysical properties of heterocyclic compounds with aliphatic alcohols
at T = 303.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K. Preliminary data was used to assess the excess free volume,
internal pressure and free energy of Gibbs, which were discussed in light of the molecular interaction
surviving in the mixtures. Analysis of each of the two contributions, namely interaction, free volume
VE showed that the contributions are positive for all systems. The variations of these parameters with
the composition and the temperature were discussed with regard to the intermolecular interactions
prevailing in these mixtures. These values also indicate the formation of a hydrogen bonding
(C=O......OH) between the hydrogen atom of aliphatic alcohol of 1-hexanol/1-octanol and oxygen
atom of heterocyclic compounds tetrahydrofuran in cyclohexanone in the ternary liquid mixtures.
Effect of Flexible Chain on Mesomorphic Properties of Alkyloxy Substituted 4-Chloroazobenzene Liquid Crystals
Authors: Kamruzzaman  , Ali Roushown , Karim Rabiul , Chowdhury Samiul Islam , Hasan Tariqul
Published: April 2021

Three rod-shaped alkyloxy substituted 4-chloroazobenzene liquid crystals, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[4- (alkyloxy)phenyl]diazene (hexayl, octyl and nonyl as flexible oxyalkyl chain) have been synthesized by diazotization of p-chloroaniline with phenol and subsequently performed etherification reaction with different alkyl bromides. The structures of the substituted 4-chloroazobenzene liquid crystals have been characterized by spectroscopic methods. The mesomorphic properties of the liquid crystals were examined by polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All the oxyalkyl homologues of chloro substituted azobenzene showed enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) mesophase, which was understood clearly by the texture of the compounds employing polarizing optical microscope (POM) analysis. During heating scan in DSC analyses melting points, SmA-isotropic temperature and enthalphy changes associated with SmA-isotropic transition showed a remarkable impact on the spacer length of 4-chloro azobenzene derivatives.
Overview of Electrode Materials Progressed for Application in Electrochemical Supercapacitors: An Update
Authors: Jose Vinaya , Jose Vismaya , Nesaraj A. Samson
Published: April 2021

Supercapacitors are the most maintainable energy conservation devices and have pulled in broad consideration due to long cycle life, excellent power density, stability and integrity. As of now, all researchers are concentrating on how the energy density can be improved while retaining high power density, fast charge or discharge and cycling stability. In this review, we look into the most broadly used electrode materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, activated carbon, carbon quantum dots, porous carbon, metal oxides, conducting polymers, composite hybrid materials, asymmetric hybrid materials, battery type electrode materials, etc. for designing various types of supercapacitors and their characteristic performance. This review would help to understand the recent advancements progressed in electrode materials for applications in electrochemical supercapacitors.
Manganese(IV) Complexes Derived from Polyfunctional Dihydrazone:
Structural, Electrochemical and Antimicrobial Studies
Authors: Sarma P. , Mahanta P. , Basumatary D. , Medhi C.
Published: April 2021

Manganese(IV) complexes viz. [MnIV(nagh)(A)2]·2H2O and [MnIV(nagh)(NN)] have been synthesized
from ligand bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)glutaryldihydrazone (naghH4) and auxiliary ligands, A
= H2O (1)/pyridine (2)/2-picoline (3)/3-picoline (4)/ 4-picoline (5) or NN = 2,2′-bipyridine
(6)/1,10-phenanthroline (7). The elemental analysis, mass spectral and thermal studies supported the
composition of all the manganese(IV) complexes. Structural aspects were determined from magnetic
susceptibility, molar conductivity and spectral studies i.e. electronic, electron spin resonance and
infrared. Their non-electrolytic nature were determined from molar conductances. Results from studies
of magnetic moment, electronic and ESR suggested Mn(IV) ion in six-coordinate octahedral
stereochemistry. The ligand coordinated to the metal in enolic form as a tetradentate in an anti-cis
configuration as was correlated from IR data. Redox activities and antimicrobial potential against few
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have been investigated for the dihydrazone and some
manganese(IV) complexes.
Carbon Supported Platinum-Molybdenum Alloy Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Manivannan Natarajan , Balachandran Vijai Shankar , Vasantha V.S.
Published: April 2021

Fuel cells are gaining importance in the emerging area of power generation. However, sluggishness of
the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and usage of expensive electrocatalysts are hindering
its widespread application. Hence, an effort has been made in the present study to synthesize efficient
electrocatalysts based on Pt-Mo alloys with varying atomic ratios (0-100 at. %) by thermal
decomposition method. The synthesized samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and
XPS techniques. The electrocatalytic activity for ORR was measured using cyclic voltammetry and
rotating disk electrode for all the samples and Pt-Mo (1:1) electrocatalyst performed better among the
synthesized electrocatalysts with ORR current density of 63 mA/cm2 at an applied potential of 0.6 V
vs. Hg/HgSO4. The present study suggests that Pt-Mo studied are proven to be a superior catalyst than
a costly Pt catalyst with high ORR activity.
Prevalence of Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms among School Going Children
Authors: Dhobe Sonal Balwantrao , Gujar Samrudhhi Subhashrao
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND A broad spectrum of emotional lows, from simple sadness to a pathological suicidal condition is defined as a depression. This is a common mental illness that has been noticed in daily life. Usually, a person who is depressed or feeling unhappy may return to normal emotional health within a specified time. There are times where this condition stretches for such a time that it is greatly overshadowed by the value of the precipitating factor. The patient in a prolonged depression state withdraws from his / her private, social, and professional activities. In some scenarios the diagnosis of depression should be identified. According to epidemiological studies, 15 percent to 20 percent of the children and adolescents experience at least one depressive episode in life and this is a common recurrent and impairing condition that predicts future suicide attempts, academic failure, interpersonal problems, unemployment, substance abuse, and delinquency before adulthood. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms among school going children and to evaluate the association of the prevalence score with selected demographic variables. METHODS This was a cross sectional study with quantitative research approach. The study was conducted in a selected school of Wardha district. Nonprobability convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from school going children. A structured questionnaire including socio demographic details & patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale was used to identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms among school going children. After collecting data, the sample characteristics were described by frequency and percentage. A chi-square test was used to find out the relationship between the association between prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms and selected demographic variables. RESULTS In this study 8.89 % of school going children had no depression; minimal depression was seen in 68.89 %; mild depression in 17.88 %, moderate depression in 4.44 %, and moderately severe depression in 0 % of school going children were seen. CONCLUSIONS There was a significant association between the prevalence of associated factors of depressive symptoms among school going children with gender only. KEY WORDS Prevalence, Associated Factors, Depressive Symptoms, School Going Children
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange – A 2 Years Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Udani Moni Mukesh , Jivrag Neogi Akanksha , Dhote Shweta Wasudeo , Singh Iqbal
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND Therapeutic plasma exchange is a process where the blood collected from patient is passed through an apheresis instrument where the plasma is removed and discarded and reinfusion of blood cells done with replacement fluids like plasma or albumin to the patient.1 It is to remove pathogenic autoantibodies, immune complexes, cryoglobulins and toxins present in the plasma. Plasma exchange is considered effective and cheaper immunomodulatory treatment when compared to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). 2 We present our institutional experience with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in treatment of various non-neurological and neurological diseases. Our study was conducted to assess the indications, complications and outcome of TPE in the treatment of patients. METHODS A retrospective study of TPE procedures was carried out in the Department of Immunohaematology and blood transfusion, M.G.M Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai from June 2018 to June 2020. A total of 45 procedures were performed among 13 patients between 4 years of age to 66 years of age. Clinical parameters were checked, and laboratory investigations were done before the procedure. Data was collected from the requisition forms by the clinicians and the apheresis database. RESULTS A total of 47 procedures were carried out among 13 patients. TPE is a safe and effective procedure for treating patients with neurologic and non-neurological diseases. Most common indication was Guillain Barre syndrome followed by myasthenia gravis. Incidence of adverse reactions was 7.6 %. CONCLUSIONS TPE is a safe and effective procedure for treating patients with neurologic and nonneurological diseases. It benefited 10 out of 13 patients, and they showed complete recovery. KEY WORDS Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, Guillain Barre syndrome
The rise of new knowledge types and their trailblazers, and the management of value chains
Authors: Hoogenboom Marcel , Trommel Willem , Bannink Duco
Published: April 2021

In this article, the authors argue that there is no such thing as the knowledge society. Like many others authors, they claim that the fundamental transformations of our time can be typified as the end of the national ‘industrial society’ and the move towards some kind of global society dominated by the production and use of knowledge. They argue, however, that these transformations not necessarily produce a convergence of national and regional socio-economic structures. In industrial society two types of knowledge were dominant: ‘technical knowledge’ and ‘social knowledge’. In our time, the growing diverseness of individual and group identities produced by reflexivisation, globalisation and the advancement of information technologies calls for the development and application of a new type of knowledge: ‘cultural knowledge’. They analyse the consequences of the increased significance of cultural knowledge in the economic sphere in terms of the division of labour, and subsequently conceptualise three different types of knowledge societies: ‘the techno-cultural’, ‘the socio-cultural’ and the ‘socio-technical knowledge society’. Finally, they will portray three ‘categories’ of trailblazers of the knowledge societies, new professionals that perform ‘meta business functions’. These trailblazers directly or indirectly create new value chains by linking or destroying existing ones, and breaking up others in to pieces in order to create new combinations. These professionals, in other words, actively manage value chains.
Üzleti modellezés és az internetes üzleti modellek
Authors: Móricz Péter
Published: April 2021

Az „üzleti modell”, amely az internetes vállalkozások felfutásának idején az egyik leggyakrabban használt, de legkevésbé megértett fogalom volt, napjainkban kezd visszatérni a menedzsment gyakorlatába és irodalmi szóhasználatába. A szerző bemutatja, hogy honnan ered a kifejezés, mitől vált felületessé, és miért érdemes mégis megjegyeznünk. Az üzleti modell az értékteremtés mechanizmusáról rajzol elénk egy rendszert, ezzel a folyamatábráknál átfogóbb nézőpontot képvisel: egy alapvető működési logikát, amelyre a szervezet egyedi stratégiája illeszthető. A modellezés egysége lehet az üzletágnál szűkebb, egy üzleti probléma, vagy tágabb, egy ellátási lánc vagy értékhálózat is. Az üzleti modellezés három fokozat valamelyikével történhet: a szöveges (az eset), a grafikus (a térkép) és a számszerű (a szimulátor) modell más-más felhasználási szempontokat szolgál. A szerző áttekinti e szempontokat, de az üzleti modellezés gyakori buktatóit is megjelöli. A cikk második része kiemelten foglalkozik az internetes üzleti modellezéssel. Ennek során az értékajánlat, a szervezeti/hálózati modell, a bevétel-költség modell, valamint az infrastruktúra és szabályozási környezet összetevők mentén mutatja be azon szakirodalmi javaslatokat, amelyekből átgondolt üzleti modellek szerkeszthetők. Meglátása szerint azonban az internetes üzleti modelleknél sem tekinthetünk el a fizikai folyamatok, a stratégia, valamint számos puha tényező szerepétől.
Vállalkozásoktatás diákvállalkozásokon keresztül – – Tapasztalatok a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetemről
Authors: Csapó Krisztián
Published: April 2021

A vállalkozásoktatás szerepe az elmúlt évtizedek során folyamatosan felértékelődött. Ennek egyik jeleként számos vállalkozási program, kurzus jelent meg a felsőoktatási intézmények kínálatában. A szerző cikke első felében a vállalkozásoktatás szakirodalmának áttekintésére vállalkozik, így bemutatja a kurzusok típusait, az oktatás módjait és a programok értékelését. Ezt követően a vállalkozásoktatás egyik legeredményesebb módszerével, a diákvállalkozások alapításán keresztül megvalósuló oktatással foglalkozik. Példaként a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetemen elindított programjukat mutatja be, majd a program értékelését követően javaslatokat fogalmaz meg a továbbfejlesztés lehetőségére. Célja a program minél több felsőoktatási intézményben való elterjesztése.
A ready-to-use online tool to calculate the BCF of active substances: MOSAIC
bioacc
Authors: Ratier Aude , Lopes Christelle , Multari Gauthier , Babut Marc , Mazerolles Vanessa , Charles Sandrine
Published: April 2021

Toxicokinetic/toxicodynamic (TKTD) models are used to describe and predict the toxicity and the effects of chemical substances on individual traits based on experimental data. The toxicokinetic (TK) part describes the relationship between the exposure medium and the organism, considering various processes such as ADME (accumulation, depuration, metabolization and excretion). Regulation laying down the data requirements for active substances for the placing of plant protection products on the market, a bioaccumulation study on fish is required for substances with a partition coefficient octanol / water greater than or equal to 3, following the OECD guideline 305. Such a TK test allows to define the bioconcentration factor (BCF), the biomagnification factor (BMF) or the bioaccumulation factor (BAF). These factors are decisive criteria for estimating the concentration of active substances present in food items of vertebrates and more particularly of piscivorous birds and mammals. In a recent study, a relevant inference framework (Bayesian inference) was proposed to estimate toxicokinetic model parameters accounting for their correlation, based on the experimental data from standard guidelines and leading to the calculation of BCF/BMF/BAF. Models underlying this framework can be directly integrated and used as TK parts of TKTD models. Achieved in agreement with EFSA's scientific opinion on good modeling practices, the objective of this project is to develop a ready-to-use on-line tool for easily estimating BCF/BMF/BAF in a regulatory framework, by taking into account bioaccumulation of a parent compound and its metabolites through biotransformation. We built a Shiny interface to make available the inference method and the BCF/BMF/BAF calculation from the MOSAIC platform, which may be used for research as well as by companies or regulatory agencies. This tool will be integrated more broadly into the development and widespread use of TKTD models within the risk assessment framework.
Applications of toxicokinetic (TK) models on freshwater invertebrates in a regulation perspective
Authors: Ratier Aude , Lopes Christelle , Charles Sandrine , Casado-Martinez Carmen , Budzinski Hélène , Geffard Olivier , Babut Marc
Published: April 2021

Toxicokinetic (TK) models have been developed to describe the bioaccumulation of chemicals in organisms. They are used as the first step to evaluate the toxicity of a contaminant in environmental risk assessment (ERA) and are developed to provide a theorical framework for understanding the link between exposure and accumulation by the biota, testing hypotheses, and make predictions (e.g. predictions of the chemical concentration in organisms according to environmental concentration or inversely). In France, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have generally been analyzed in sediment as part of annual monitoring. However, regulation specifies that for PAHs, the environmental quality standard (EQS) concerns biota, in this case invertebrates. However, modifying the monitoring protocol used for several years would lead to a loss of data continuity. In this context, TK models could be used to predict (
i) concentrations in the sediment equivalent to the EQS
biota and (
ii) concentrations in biota, directly from data measured in sediment
in situ, then compared to the EQS
biota. Thus, the aim of this study was to illustrate how to use TK models to retro-predict chemical concentrations in the sediment leading to the EQS
biota. To achieve this purpose, we firstly used experimental data of a TK study available in the literature (e.g.
Hyallela azteca and
Chironomustentans exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) spiked sediment) to estimate the distributions of the model parameters and thus to predict the concentration in the sediment that will lead to a concentration in the biota below the corresponding EQS
biota (for both BaP and its metabolites). The results raised the issue of taking into account metabolites in regulation, where their concentrations in the organism could exceed the EQS
biota defined for the parent compound. Secondly, we used several experimental data of TK studies which reported different amount of organic matter to account for the bioavailability of PAH in the model.