bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Antimicrobial Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salvia officinalis Ethanolic Extract Against Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Valizadeh Moharam , ur Rehman Fazal , Hassanzadeh Mohammad Amir , Beigomi Maryam , Fazeli-Nasab Bahman
Published: September 2021

Background: One of the most common gastrointestinal infections is Helicobacter pylori infection, which leads to gastritis, gastrointestinal ulcers, and eventually stomach cancer. Many chemical drugs are used to eradicate this bacterium; however, resistance to many drugs and recurrence of infection are some treatment problems. Among these, the role of herbal medicines is very important. Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salvia officinalis are some plants used to treat H. pylori infections. These plants grow in different regions of Iran, and it is important to study their effects on this bacterium. Objectives: Accordingly, this study aimed to isolate H. pylori strains and investigate the antimicrobial effects of G. glabra and S. officinalis ethanolic extract against this bacterium. Methods: Helicobacter pylori specimens were isolated from endometrium biopsy of the stomach of patients who referred to Sistan and Baluchestan Hospital by culture method. Then, the antimicrobial effects of the ethanolic extracts of G. glabra and S. officinalis were investigated on H. pylori isolates by microdilution method. Results: The results of this study showed that 30 (60%) cases were metronidazole-resistant, 15 (30%) were amoxicillin-resistant, 12 (24%) were tetracycline-resistant, and 2 (4%) were clarithromycin-resistant. While the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of G. glabra ethanolic extract against H. pylori was 3.1 mg/mL (five strains were inhibited), the highest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was equal 100 mg/mL (six strains were inhibited). The lowest MIC of S. officinalis against H. pylori was equal 3.1 ppm (12 strains were inhibited), while the highest MBC was 50 ppm (one strain was inhibited). Conclusions: According to our results, G. glabra and S. officinalis ethanolic extracts had high antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant strains. Regarding the continuous and reckless use of chemical drugs, unfortunately, increasing drug resistance in germs is increasing compared to chemical drugs day by day, as a result, be used from medicinal herbs. On the other hand, as the environment (weather and soil area) is effective in the type and amount of phytochemical substances, therefore, it is suggested that when using a medicinal plant for the treatment of diseases, should be addressed to the location of the plant and the type of tissue of the plant to achieve the best Therapeutic effect.
COVID-19 in Children: Clinical Presentations and Outcomes in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Khamis Hussein Sherin , Magdy Yousef Remon , Masoud Mohamed , Yehia Abdelwahed Mostafa , Ahmed Mohammed Rehab
Published: September 2021

Background: The number of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly increased with limited data available about Egyptian children infected with COVID-19. Objectives: The study was performed early in the pandemic to address and record different clinical presentations of COVID-19 in Egyptian children in Fayoum Governorate and determine the percentage of children with complicated COVID-19 infection. The present article describes some epidemiological characteristics, along with the clinical patterns, laboratory and radiological findings, and outcomes of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in Fayoum Governorate. Methods: A total of 200 Egyptian children with COVID-19 in Fayoum Governorate were included in this study. This study was conducted from the beginning of June 2020 to the end of October 2020. In this study, 192 children (96%) had a history of contact with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases in relatives. The age, gender, clinical symptoms, signs, and laboratory results were estimated. Results: About a tenth of the patients (n = 19; 9.5%) were asymptomatic. Fever and diarrhea were the most common symptoms at presentation, as it was identified in 81 children (40.5%). Lymphopenia was observed in 46.5% of the patients. The majority of the patients with respiratory symptoms had normal findings in chest X-rays (92.5%). Chest opacity was reported in 11 patients (5.5%). According to chest computed tomography, bilateral ground-glass opacity was identified in 16 patients (8.0%). Five hospitalized cases (2.5%) developed severe non-respiratory complications. One death was reported in this study. Conclusions: The COVID-19 can affect children at any age with variable presentations ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptomatic phenotypes requiring intensive care interventions.
Zen Buddhist and Christian Views of Causality: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Oda Takaharu ,   Academic Publishing
Published: September 2021

This article presents a new approach to Japanese Zen Buddhism, alternative to its traditional views, which lack exact definitions of the relation between the meditator and the Buddha’s ultimate cause, dharma. To this end, I offer a comparative analysis between Zen Buddhist and Christian views of causality from the medieval to early modern periods. Through this, human causation with dharma in the Zen Buddhist meditations can be better defined and understood. Despite differences between religious traditions in deliberating human causal accounts, there are parallel ways of thinking and practicing between Christian and Buddhist meditators. Firstly, I reconstruct three sorts of Christian scholastic theories of creaturely causality: conservationism (realist or active view of our volitional action), occasionalism (passive view), and concurrentism (interactive view). Secondly, Zen Buddhist doctrines are introduced by placing particular emphasis on dharma as causal agency. Focusing on the Japanese Zen practice of meditation (zazen), finally I expound two theories of human causality: Sōtō Zen quasi-occasionalism following Master Dōgen’s teaching of enlightenment (satori), and Rinzai Zen quasi-concurrentism given the meditator’s interactive kōan practice. Hence, my comparative analysis explains why religious beings are causally active, passive, or interactive in relation to the first agency, God or dharma, whereby systematically establishing alternative definitions of human causality in Zen Buddhism.
Focus group and Delphi process: Stroke and potential drug-drug Interactions (pDDI) in the neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Authors: Aleksić Dejan , Petković Pavle , Milosavljević Miloš , Stefanovic Srđan , Janković Slobodan
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The clinical significance of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs), especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) manifested mostly as adverse drug reactions. Aim: The goal of this research was to conduct a focus group, in which the participants were decisionmakers in acute ischemic stroke patient treatment. Also, the aim was to reach a consensus, due to the Delphi process, between neurologists and clinical pharmacologists regarding this highly vulnerable group of patients. Material and Methods: In this academic research, so-called applied focus group (the goal was to reach practical decisions) and clinical focus group (determining motives, predeterminations, bias, prejudice and analyzing the behavior leading to a certain outcome) was done. Results: Continuing medical education of neurologists is needed regarding pDDIs and the use of an online pDDIs checker. Certain groups of patients with AIS are at particular risk of exposure to pDDIs. Certain drug groups are more likely to interact with other drugs. Conclusions: Defining medical recommendations/guidelines on evidence base medicine about pDDIs in patients with AIS would significantly contribute to reducing their frequency in this vulnerable patient population.
Seed nutrients and bioactive compounds of underutilised oil crop Carthamus tinctorius L.
Authors: Kiprovski Biljana , Jaćimović Simona , Grahovac Nada , Zeremski Tijana , Marjanović-Jeromela Ana
Published: September 2021

Seeds of seven different genotypes of underutilised oil crop Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae) from alternative oil species collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Novi Sad, Serbia), were analysed for their protein, oil, fatty acids, tocopherols and total phenolics contents, with a view to test their diversity and potential as an alternative source of these valuable compounds. Seeds of the tested safflower genotypes had total protein (determined by Kjeldahl method) content from 11.5 to 16.0%, while total oil content (determined by Soxhlet method) ranged from 16.8 to 24.5% of dry matter, on average. Two main unsaturated fatty acids in safflower seeds, oleic and linoleic acids, represent approximately 90% of the total fatty acid content (determined by gas chromatography). Linoleic acid was the dominant fatty acid in all genotypes (61.2-80.2% of oil), while oleic acid was in a negative correlation with linolenic acid content and ranged from 9.6 to 29.5% of oil. The amount of saturated fatty acids ranged from 5.5 to 6.05% for palmitic, and 2.1 to 3.5% for stearic acid. Safflower seed is a source of a-tocopherol (determined by high performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection) and its amount ranged from 358.8 to 461.8 mg/L of oil. The content of total phenolics (determined spectrophotometrically) ranged from 4.0 to 6.0 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g of dry weight. This comprehensive screening of valuable chemical compounds of safflower seeds shows the importance of this alternative oil seed crop as a good source of important nutrients and bioactive constituents.
Molecular characterization of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' in celery: Case study in Futog
Authors: Popović Tatjana , Mitrović Petar , Kosovac Andrea
Published: September 2021

'Candidates Phytoplasma solani', known by its trivial name stolbur phytoplasma, is a plant pathogen infecting numerous crops in Serbia. Celery plants with prominent leaf yellowing and chlorosis, sporadically with tissue necrosis, were observed during August 2020 in Futog, situated in Novi Sad suburbia in Vojvodina. Total of 12 sampled celery plants, 8 symptomatic and 4 asymptomatic ones, were analysed for 'Ca. P. solani' presence. All symptomatic celery plants were infected with stolbur phytoplasma according to the stoll 1 gene detection and therefore were further subjected to multigene molecular characterization on three genes: tuf, stamp and vmpl. Combining molecular tools PCR/RFLP and sequencing reviled two 'Ca. P. solani' multilocus genotypes in celery: tuf-b/Rqg31/V14 and tuf-b/ Rpm35/V14, present in 4 samples each. Obtained results of the strain genotyping are in concordance with previous data on the 'Ca. P. solani' diversity on celery, but supplemented with genotyping of the vmpl gene. Outbreak of stolbur phytoplasma in the assessed locality in Futog is linked to tuf-b epidemiological cycle correlated in Serbia mainly with weed Convolvulus arvensis which was present in the subjected celery plot, and could have been the phytoplasma inoculum source. Visual evaluation of the symptom occurrence suggests on 10-15% of 'Ca. P. solani' affected celery plants scattered throughout the plot corresponding to the pathogen dispersal in crop by cixiid planthoper Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) associated with C. arvensis, main vector of stolbur phytoplasma in Serbia.
Salt affected soils under cotton-based irrigation agriculture in southern Kazakhstan
Authors: Tanirbergenov Samat , Saljnikov Elmira , Suleimenov Beibut , Saparov Abdulla , Cakmak Dragan
Published: September 2021

Soil salinity of the irrigated soils in a cotton farm of Kazakhstan was studied aimed to provide background for reconstruction of collection-drainage system of whole region and preventing soil deterioration. The experimental data obtained for 2012-2014 were plotted for the development of the map of soil salinity (1:10000) seasonally and vertically. In spring 2014 the area under medium saline soil in 0-20 cm layer decreased from 79.5 to 57.7%; the area of weakly saline soils increased from 20.5 to 34.6%. In autumn and winter periods the area of strongly saline soils decreased from 25.6 to 14.1%. The area of non-saline soils was 7.7%. The changes in the ions amount, both vertically and seasonally, occur with transport of salts along soil profile driven by temperature gradients and the level of ground water, i.e., in spring from up to down, and in autumn and winter, contrary from down to up.
The ultimate approach for General Arrangement Definition
Authors: Perez Rodrigo , Alonso Veronica
Published: September 2021

General Arrangement Drawing is a communication language that uses graphics to represent principally: volumes, spaces, compartments, bulkheads, hull forms, decks and main equipment’s. The general arrangement of a vessel can be defined as the allocation of volumes for all the crucial functions/operations, correctly synchronized for position and access. The well-organized operation of a ship depends upon the proper arrangement of each individual volume/space and the most efficient interrelationships among all compartments. It is vital that the general arrangement of a ship be usefully, practically and cost-effectively developed with respect to key factors that influence construction and operation cost, in particular the manpower required to operate the vessel. It is essential for those who are involved in shipbuilding industry to understand new tools for this kind of vessel drawing and know how to draw them, saving time for the rest of the process of ship design. In this paper it is showed, for first time in a conference, a new module dedicated to definition and management the compartment arrangement of a ship. Compartment arrangement of a vessel is based on the definition of its spaces. Each space is represented by its 3D model. Spaces contain further information than the geometric one, been able to set different user attributes to them or to their limits. 3D model of the spaces is generated taken as reference the surfaces of the ship as well as auxiliary geometry. It is also possible the definition of spaces from 2D drawing in a specific definition environment. Finally, this compartment arrangement is available for hydrostatic and stability calculations.
Ship Speed-Power Performance Assessment
Authors: van den Boom Henk J. J. , Hasselaar Thijs W. F.
Published: September 2021

The speed/power characteristics of ships have always been at the core of ship design. To prove contractually agreed values, speed trials are conducted by the yard prior to delivery of the ship to the owner. In the past schedule integrity of the vessel was often the most important factor for the speed requirement. Today, owners and operators are keen to reduce fuel consumption to decrease operational costs. So far a variety of methods for conducting and analyzing speed/power trials have been used by shipyards. With the assistance of the Sea Trial Analysis-Joint Industry Project, ITTC developed guidelines for the execution and analysis of speed/power trials compliant with IMO EEDI. The need to reduce fuel costs and exhaust gas emissions including the upcoming environmental regulations such as EEOI by IMO urge for reliable monitoring of ship performance in service conditions. This requires accurate information of the speed through water. Although the speed log is one of the oldest instruments on board it is not considered the most reliable one. Results of an extensive monitoring campaign on board a 1800 TEU container vessel equipped with six speed logs within SPA-JIP will be presented. The state of art of performance monitoring will be presented.
Concept Exploration of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle
Authors: Burrow John , Doerry Norbert , Earnesty Mark , Was Joe , Myers Jim , Banko Jeff , McConnell Jeff , Pepper Joshua , Tafolla Tracy
Published: September 2021

In 2013, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) conducted a study to determine the technical feasibility and affordability of a High Water Speed Amphibious Combat Vehicle, quantify performance, determine capability tradeoffs that can be made to reduce cost and reduce technical risk, and compare capabilities with those of a Low Water Speed variant. This paper describes the organizational structure, the study plan, and the innovative Set-Based Design method used by the ACV Directorate to conduct the study.
Shattered Legs, Softened Hearts:
Authors: Infantine Michael
Published: September 2021

What does it look like to cooperate with God’s grace, and what does it look like to hide from it? In 1521, Ignatius of Loyola, an ambitious and promising young soldier in the Spanish army, is shot in the leg and suffers a career-ending injury that sparks his eventual conversion to Christianity. It would appear, looking back on this event, that grace came for Ignatius in a form that could only be recognized at the time as tragedy and senseless suffering. Four hundred thirty four years later, Flannery O’Connor, a young novelist from Georgia, writes the short story of a woman named Hulga who, after losing a leg in a shooting accident as a young girl, recedes into isolation and naked contempt for all those closest to her until one day a mysterious visitor knocks at the door of her family home. For Hulga too, grace may be out to find her in the place she might least expect. This paper will hold up the figures of St. Ignatius and Hulga as a comparative case study in which to examine the working out of God’s grace in the economy of a human life. Ignatius, through his humility and loyalty to Christ in the wake of his injury, is an icon of God’s grace and the conversion to which it calls him. Hulga, in her obstinate scorn and self-proclaimed superiority over all those who seek relationship with her, is the epitome of the one who resists the love of the Other. Even still, there may be hope for Hulga yet by the story’s end.
Liberating Oppressors: The Toughest Task of Full Reconciliation
Authors: Karanovich R Zachary
Published: September 2021

The process of reconciliation is necessarily centered on the victim. But Jürgen Moltmann rightly states that, “Oppression always has two sides. ” Insofar as one can envision the tasks of liberation and reconciliation to be at least parallel, a premise that this paper acknowledges, then liberation too must be forward thinking. To redeem the past, Moltmann argued that we must not only seek the liberation of the oppressed, but also the liberation of the oppressor. The preferential option for the victim is indeed necessary, but so too is the transformation of the oppressor. While this application of liberation on the side of the oppressor is not always warmly received by liberation thinkers, Jon Sobrino also stated the need for a continued openness to the oppressor as essential to reconciliation and the liberation spirituality. This paper will draw on theological, literary, and historical sources as well as current events to explore the status of this sometimes controversial question of the liberation of the oppressor and its place within the goal of reconciliation.
Enhancement of interface transportation for quantum dot solar cells using ultrathin InN by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Li Ye , Wang Xi-Xi , Wei Hui-Yun , Qiu Peng , He Ying-Feng , Song Yi-Meng , Duan Zhang , Shen Cheng-Tao , Peng Ming-Zeng , Zheng Xin-He ,   Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Published: September 2021

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells have gained rapid development which could produce potential applications. Although they have a theoretical photoelectric conversion efficiency of 44%, there is still a considerable gap in comparison with corresponding practical solar cells, which is mainly due to the fact that the interface transfer, stability and efficiency improvement are still facing some problems. In particular, the carrier recombination loss at the cell interface seriously hinders the quantum dot-sensitized solar cells from developing. In this work, an ultra-thin layer of InN prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition is inserted into the FTO/TiO2 interface of the photoanode of CdSeTe based quantum dot-sensitized solar cells to improve the performance of the photoanode structure, and physical mechanism behind the device is discussed. We first investigate the effects of different deposition temperatures (170, 200 and 230 ℃) on the cell performance of InN films. While the InN ultra-thin layer is deposited at 200 ℃, an enhancement of 16.9% in conversion efficiency is achieved as compared with the reference group. Then, the effects of different thickness (5, 10, and 15 cycles) on the cell are investigated at a fixed deposition temperature of 200 ℃. Additionally, an improvement of fill factor for the device after an introduction of InN layer is observed. This enhancement is further convinced by an apparent reduction of series resistance extracted by the Nyquist curve. The significant increase in fill factor indicates that the introduction of InN accelerates the extraction, transfer and separation of electrons, and reduces the possibility of photon-generated carriers recombination. However, the insertion of InN deposition temperature and thickness have a certain range of enhancement in the cell performance, and further investigation of the mechanism will be carried out.
Heterogeneous side effects of cortical inactivation in behaving animals
Authors: Andrei Ariana R , Debes Samantha , Chelaru Mircea , Liu Xiaoqin , Rodarte Elsa , Spudich John L , Janz Roger , Dragoi Valentin
Published: September 2021

Cortical inactivation represents a key causal manipulation allowing the study of cortical circuits and their impact on behavior. A key assumption in inactivation studies is that the neurons in the target area become silent while the surrounding cortical tissue is only negligibly impacted. However, individual neurons are embedded in complex local circuits composed of excitatory and inhibitory cells with connections extending hundreds of microns. This raises the possibility that silencing one part of the network could induce complex, unpredictable activity changes in neurons outside the targeted inactivation zone. These off-target side effects can potentially complicate interpretations of inactivation manipulations, especially when they are related to changes in behavior. Here, we demonstrate that optogenetic inactivation of glutamatergic neurons in the superficial layers of monkey primary visual cortex (V1) induces robust suppression at the light-targeted site, but destabilizes stimulus responses in the neighboring, untargeted network. We identified four types of stimulus-evoked neuronal responses within a cortical column, ranging from full suppression to facilitation, and a mixture of both. Mixed responses were most prominent in middle and deep cortical layers. These results demonstrate that response modulation driven by lateral network connectivity is diversely implemented throughout a cortical column. Importantly, consistent behavioral changes induced by optogenetic inactivation were only achieved when cumulative network activity was homogeneously suppressed. Therefore, careful consideration of the full range of network changes outside the inactivated cortical region is required, as heterogeneous side effects can confound interpretation of inactivation experiments.
The Frontier Effect
Authors: Ballvé Teo
Published: September 2021

This book challenges the notion that in Urabá, Colombia, the cause of the region's violent history and unruly contemporary condition is the absence of the state. Although the book takes this locally oft-repeated claim seriously, it demonstrates that Urabá is more than a case of Hobbesian political disorder. Through this exploration of war, paramilitary organizations, grassroots support and resistance, and drug-related violence, the book argues that Urabá, rather than existing in statelessness, has actually been an intense and persistent site of state-building projects. Indeed, these projects have thrust together an unlikely gathering of guerilla groups, drug-trafficking paramilitaries, military strategists, technocratic planners, local politicians, and development experts each seeking to give concrete coherence to the inherently unwieldy abstraction of “the state” in a space in which it supposedly does not exist. By untangling this odd mix, the book reveals how Colombia's violent conflicts have produced surprisingly coherent and resilient, if not at all benevolent, regimes of rule.
Mobilizing for Development
Authors: Looney Kristen E.
Published: September 2021

This book tackles the question of how countries achieve rural development and offers a new way of thinking about East Asia's political economy that challenges the developmental state paradigm. Through a comparison of Taiwan (1950s–1970s), South Korea (1950s–1970s), and China (1980s–2000s), the book shows that different types of development outcomes—improvements in agricultural production, rural living standards, and the village environment—were realized to different degrees, at different times, and in different ways. The book argues that rural modernization campaigns, defined as policies demanding high levels of mobilization to effect dramatic change, played a central role in the region and that divergent development outcomes can be attributed to the interplay between campaigns and institutions. The analysis departs from common portrayals of the developmental state as wholly technocratic and demonstrates that rural development was not just a byproduct of industrialization. The book's research is based on several years of fieldwork in Asia and makes a unique contribution by systematically comparing China's development experience with other countries. Relevant to political science, economic history, rural sociology, and Asian Studies, the book enriches our understanding of state-led development and agrarian change.
Agricultural Financial Intervention and Livelihood of Farmers: A Study of Anchor Borrowers Programme in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Chibueze Onuoha Onyekachi , David Ejikeme Obinna
Published: September 2021

This study examined the effects of Agricultural Financial Intervention on the livelihood of farmers narrowing on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme in Anambra State, Nigeria. The research design used was a survey design. A total of 154 respondents were selected using the yardstick of farmers who have ever accessed funds from the programme. A well-structured questionnaire and interview were utilized to generate data from the respondents and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The findings revealed that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme had a positive and significant contribution to ease the burden of financing in agriculture among Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. ABP had positive and significant contributions to improve the agricultural value chain among farmers in Nigeria. ABP had negative and no significant contribution to boosting output among farmers, and ABP had a negative effect on improving profitability among farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Based on the findings of this study it was concluded that the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme presently has not fully improved the livelihood of farmers cooperatives in Anambra State, Nigeria, however, it has prospects of contributing significantly towards improving the livelihood of members.  This study, therefore, recommends that Agricultural expertise should be employed by the government to help in educating farmers on the best techniques to apply during agricultural activities to increase output. The ABP should also set up an active committee to assess farmers’ situation and obtain first-hand information before a loan is given, during courses of loan and at the point of harvest. This is aimed at discouraging farmers from providing false information and avoiding delays in repayment.
The Application of Nanosensors in Illicit Drugs Determination: A Review
Authors: Shuaibu Lawal , Audu AbduRahman Abdul , Igenepo Kingsley John
Published: September 2021

The utilization of nanomaterials (NMs) to produce nanosensors for detecting drugs in a wide range of materials has attracted global attention. Various categories of NMs have been synthesized and applied for the qualitative determination of some additives, contaminants, and illicit materials owing to their unique physicochemical properties at the nanoscale to impact desired effects. Rapid and facile detection techniques employed for on-site analysis of illicit drugs using NMs are reviewed. It is noted that NMs are good candidates in the fabrication of nanosensors for the sensitive detections and determinations of illicit drugs. Thus, this review is focused on the application of these sensors for illicit drug detection. Hence, the application of plasmonic/optical properties of NMs to enhance illicit drug detection in biological samples has been discussed. The fabricated sensors have been shown to possess enhanced selectivity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness as well as improved automation. As highlighted in the in-depth review, the sensors are designed to utilize biological receptors with a transducer component to detect the analyte-biorecognition element interaction which resulted in producing an optimum signal.
Evaluation of the Normal Range of C-reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Serum Level after Total Knee Arthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty in Osteoarthritis Patients without Complications
Authors: Aslani Mohammad Amin , Mirzaee Fateme , Karimi Amin , Baradaran Amir Farahanchi , Zafarani Zohreh , Aslani Hamidreza
Published: September 2021

Aims: Infection is one of the most serious complications of joint replacement surgeries. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels are widely used for the evaluation of acute infections after joint replacement surgeries. The aim of our study is to determine normal changes in these inflammatory mediators after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methodology: In our study, we enrolled 100 patients with mean age of 68 y/o (57–77) and the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis who underwent joint replacement surgery. ESR and CRP serum levels were measured before surgery, as well as one, three, and five days after surgery and then again 14, 42, and 90 days after surgery. The results were compared in two groups of TKA and THA, and patients who had undergone THA were further divided into cemented and uncemented groups.

Results: The CRP serum level increased rapidly and reached its maximum level (130.47) on the third day after surgery and returned to its pre-surgery level at the end of three months in all patients. The ESR serum level reached its peak (142.65) on the fifth day after surgery and then decreased; however, it was still slightly higher than the pre-surgery levels at the end of three months. CRP showed faster and more remarkable level changes following surgery compared to ESR, and this elevation was unrelated to the pre-surgery levels. No significant difference was observed between the cemented and uncemented groups.

Conclusion: Changes in CRP and ESR levels after TKA and THA surgeries are reliable indicators for assessment of prosthetic infections. In cases with an elevated CRP serum level on the third day of surgery, a strong suspicion of infection seems completely rational.
A Comparative Study of Topical 3% Tranexamic Acid and 35% Glycolic Acid in Melasma and Review of Literature
Authors: Soundarya S. , Devanand N. , Sabapathi Vaishnavi , Thomas Jayakar
Published: September 2021

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 3% tranexamic acid gel vs 35% glycolic acid peel in the treatment of melasma over face.

Materials and Methods: This is an open labelled, Randomised Controlled Trial(RCT) conducted on 60 patients. Patients were randomly divided equally into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. Patients of Group A  used topical 3% tranexamic acid gel twice a day and Group B patients were treated with 35% glycolic acid peel with a contact period of 5 minutes once in every 2 weeks. Patients were assessed every month for a period of 3 months and recurrence was assessed for the next consecutive 3 months following the treatment. Patients were asked to use a broad spectrum sunscreen before sun exposure during the entire study. Assessment of reduction in pigmentation was made by MASI score, subjective and objective valuation (blind observer) and photographic comparison. Safety profile was assessed by the side effects.

Results: The mean value of Melasma Area and Severity Index(MASI) score for glycolic acid group at baseline was 14.41 which reduced to 7.05 at end of 3rd month. In tranexamic acid group, the mean value of MASI score at baseline was 14.58 which reduced to 5.96 at the end of 3rd month. The mean percentage of improvement in MASI score in glycolic acid group 52% whereas in tranexamic acid group it is 61%.  The side effects were minimal in this study. Side effects were more in glycolic acid group than tranexamic acid group.  A total of 8 patients had recurrence during follow up. In glycolic acid group, 5 patients had recurrence whereas in tranexamic acid group, only 3 patients had recurrence. The percentage of recurrence in glycolic acid group is 16.7 % whereas in glycolic acid group it is 10.7%.

Conclusion: Tranexamic acid is a novel emerging therapy for melasma. In this study it has been found that topical 3% tranexamic acid is equally efficacious as 35% glycolic acid peel with minimal side effects in the treatment of melasma.
SHOPPING ORIENTATION, STATUS CONSUMPTION AND IMPULSE BUYING OF GENERATION X AND Y IN PURCHASING FAST FASHION PRODUCTS
Authors: Suprapto Widjojo , Indriyani Ratih , Santoso Melyvia
Published: September 2021

Generation cohorts have different tendencies in purchase behaviors, especially the Generation X and the Generation Y. Although the age gap between these two generation cohorts is not wide, the Generation X has distinctive purchase behaviors that are different from the Generation Y. In the fashion business, the Generation X consumers do not consider the brands in purchasing their clothes, but they calculate the benefits in buying a clothing product. However, the Generation Y consumers consider it as a part of their social status, therefore, they position themselves in the middle class or the upper class by what they wear. The aim of this research is to investigate the different purchase behaviors of the Generation X and Y in buying fast fashion products in Surabaya. The purchase behaviors are reflected through such variables as shopping orientation, status consumption, and impulse buying. As this is a quantitative research, the data are collected using questionnaires that are distributed to 100 respondents. The respondents are chosen using the purposive sampling technique. Then, the data are tested for the validity, reliability, normality, and homogeneity. To test the hypothesis, the independent samples t-test is used. The results show that the differences between the Generation X and the Generation Y are significant in their shopping orientation and impulse buying. However, there are no significant differences in the status consump-tions.
Keros
Authors: Renfrew Colin , Boyd Michael J.
Published: September 2021

Keros, in the heart of the Cyclades, was the seafaring center of a regional network in the Early Bronze Age. It drew in participants from far and wide in rituals of deposition at its “Special Deposits,” and boasted the largest planned and monumental architecture of the period, where early metallurgy was practiced.
A Robust ROS Generation Strategy for Enhanced Chemodynamic/Photodynamic Therapy via H2O2/O2 Self‐Supply and Ca2+ Overloading
Authors: Shen Jie , Yu Huizhu , Shu Yimeng , Ma Ming , Chen Hangrong
Published: September 2021

The efficacy of cancer therapy with reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the main therapeutic medium suffers from a deficiency of oxy‐substrates, for example, insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and inherent hypoxia in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, a smart polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐ylated nanosystem CaO2@ZIF‐Fe/Ce6@PEG (abbreviation as CaZFCP) is constructed to achieve H2O2/O2 self‐supply and Ca2+ overloading in tumor cells simultaneously for enhanced CDT/PDT. Under the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment, the activity components inside CaZFCP, that is, CaO2 nanoparticles, Fe2+, and photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) are released by the degradation of zeolitic imidazole framework‐90 (ZIF‐90). Thereinto, CaO2 nanoparticles are further decomposed to generate H2O2 and O2, which alleviates both the insufficient endogenous H2O2 and hypoxia in tumor area, thus enhancing the efficiency of CDT and PDT by producing more hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen. Furthermore, Ca2+ overloading induced by the decomposition of CaO2 is available for amplifying intracellular oxidative stress, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, which further improves the efficacy of combined CDT/PDT. In vitro and in vivo experimental results confirm excellent tumor inhibition effect, which also provides a facile paradigm in ROS‐involved cancer therapies.
Interface Energy‐Level Management toward Efficient Tin Perovskite Solar Cells with Hole‐Transport‐Layer‐Free Structure
Authors: Liu Xiao , Wu Tianhao , Zhang Caiyi , Zhang Yiqiang , Segawa Hiroshi , Han Liyuan
Published: September 2021

Lead‐free tin perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising candidate toward high‐performance and eco‐friendly photovoltaic technology with great potential for future application. However, tin PSCs with over 10% efficiency usually feature an organic hole transport layer (HTL) at the illumination side that may induce device degradation during long‐term operation. Removing the unstable organic HTL is an important way to solve these stability issues, but the efficiency of HTL‐free tin PSCs is still much lower than that of the completed cells. Herein, it is demonstrated that formamidinium tin iodide doped with heterogeneous ammonium salts can form an upward band‐bending structure to selectively extract the hole in the HTL‐free devices. By using this band‐bending structure, a promising efficiency of over 10% is first achieved for the lead‐free PSCs with a HTL‐free structure. More importantly, the optimized cell is highly stable, keeping 95% and 90% of the initial efficiency after continuous light soaking for 40 days and 80 °C annealing for 300 h, respectively. This work paves a route toward the development of efficient, eco‐friendly, and highly stable perovskite photovoltaics.
The AIE‐Active Dual‐Cationic Molecular Engineering: Synergistic Effect of Dark Toxicity and Phototoxicity for Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Ma Yucheng , Zhuang Zeyan , Xing Longjiang , Li Jianqing , Yang Zhiwen , Ji Shaomin , Hu Rong , Zhao Zujin , Huo Yanping , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: September 2021

The development of anticancer therapy is significant to human health but remains a huge challenge. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), inducing the synergistic mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells is a promising approach but suffer from the low efficiency in hypoxic microenvironment and deep‐seated tumors. Herein, to improve the outcomes of PDT for cancer treatment, a series of red fluorophores consisting of dual‐cationic triphenylphosphonium‐alkylated pyridinium and (substituted) triphenylamine are prepared as organelle‐targeting antitumor photosensitizers (PSs) with aggregation‐induced emission characteristics. These PSs can selectively accumulate at the mitochondria or lysosomes of cancer cells with both dark‐ and photo‐cytotoxicity, making them possess excellent killing effect on cancer cells and efficient inhibition of tumor growth in living mice. This study brings about new insight into the development of powerful cancer treatment.
Wearable Self‐Powered Electrochemical Devices for Continuous Health Management
Authors: Parrilla Marc , De Wael Karolien
Published: September 2021

The wearable revolution is already present in society through numerous gadgets. However, the contest remains in fully deployable wearable (bio)chemical sensing. Its use is constrained by the energy consumption which is provided by miniaturized batteries, limiting the autonomy of the device. Hence, the combination of materials and engineering efforts to develop sustainable energy management is paramount in the next generation of wearable self‐powered electrochemical devices (WeSPEDs). In this direction, this review highlights for the first time the incorporation of innovative energy harvesting technologies with top‐notch wearable self‐powered sensors and low‐powered electrochemical sensors toward battery‐free and self‐sustainable devices for health and wellbeing management. First, current elements such as wearable designs, electrochemical sensors, energy harvesters and storage, and user interfaces that conform WeSPEDs are depicted. Importantly, the bottlenecks in the development of WeSPEDs from an analytical perspective, product side, and power needs are carefully addressed. Subsequently, energy harvesting opportunities to power wearable electrochemical sensors are discussed. Finally, key findings that will enable the next generation of wearable devices are proposed. Overall, this review aims to bring new strategies for an energy‐balanced deployment of WeSPEDs for successful monitoring of (bio)chemical parameters of the body toward personalized, predictive, and importantly, preventive healthcare.
Chemical Design for Both Molecular and Morphology Optimization toward High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries Cathode Material Based on Covalent Organic Framework
Authors: Wu Manman , Zhao Yang , Zhao Ruiqi , Zhu Jie , Liu Jie , Zhang Yamin , Li Chenxi , Ma Yanfeng , Zhang Hongtao , Chen Yongsheng
Published: September 2021

In most cases, to obtain high‐performance electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), it is necessary to optimize both their molecular structure and morphology. Normally, the molecular structure of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can be well engineered by chemical design, while their morphology is mainly optimized by post‐processing. Herein, by introducing a flexible building unit containing sp3 N redox‐active centers, a bipolar‐type TP‐TA COF assembled by uniform 2D hexagonal nanosheets is synthesized in a one‐step reaction without any post‐processing, achieving the highly challenging simultaneous optimization of both molecular structure and morphology required for high‐performance electrode materials. Thus, when used as cathode material for LIBs, its combined optimized chemical structure and favorable morphology of TP‐TA COF synergistically render a high capacity (207 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1), excellent rate performance (129 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1), and cycling stability (93% capacity retention after 1500 cycles at 5.0 A g−1).
Highly Transparent and Conductive Indium‐Free Vanadates Crystallized at Reduced Temperature on Glass Using a 2D Transparent Nanosheet Seed Layer
Authors: Boileau Alexis , Hurand Simon , Baudouin Florent , Lüders Ulrike , Dallocchio Marie , Bérini Bruno , Cheikh Aimane , David Adrian , Paumier Fabien , Girardeau Thierry , Marie Philippe , Labbé Christophe , Cardin Julien , Aureau Damien , Frégnaux Mathieu , Guilloux‐Viry Maryline , Prellier Wilfrid , Dumont Yves , Demange Valérie , Fouchet Arnaud
Published: September 2021

Indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) is a widely employed transparent conducting oxide (TCO), but the indium scarcity and price encourage developing some alternatives. The correlated metals CaVO3 and SrVO3 have been recently identified as new TCOs with functional properties being comparable to ITO. However, their technological potential is limited by the critical requirement of a perovskite structure of the film, impossible to achieve via direct growth on substrates commonly used for applications. In this article, the authors tackle this limitation by demonstrating the crystalline growth of vanadate TCOs on glass at temperatures below 600 °C, with the help of 2D nanosheets as transparent seed layers. The functional properties do not suffer from the textured structure of the films, as confirmed by an in‐depth spectroscopic ellipsometry study, allowing for an industrially viable approach to integrate vanadate TCOs on virtually any surface and to exploit their promising performances as a new generation TCO.
CHIR99021 Promotes hiPSC‐Derived Cardiomyocyte Proliferation in Engineered 3D Microtissues
Authors: Hesselbarth Ramona , Esser Tilman U. , Roshanbinfar Kaveh , Schrüfer Stefan , Schubert Dirk W. , Engel Felix B.
Published: September 2021

Cardiac tissue engineering is a promising strategy to generate human cardiac tissues for modeling cardiac diseases, screening for therapeutic drugs, and repairing the injured heart. Yet, several issues remain to be resolved including the generation of tissues with high cardiomyocyte density. Here, it is shown that the integration of the glycogen synthase kinase‐3β inhibitor CHIR99021 in collagen I hydrogels promotes proliferation of human‐induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived (hiPSC) cardiomyocytes post‐fabrication improving contractility of and calcium flow in engineered 3D cardiac microtissues. CHIR99021 has no effect on the gelation kinetics or the mechanical properties of collagen I hydrogels. Analysis of cell density and proliferation based on Ki‐67 staining indicates that integration of CHIR99021 together with external CHIR99021 stimulation increases hiPSC‐cardiomyocyte number by ≈2‐fold within 7 d post‐fabrication. Analysis of the contractility of engineered cardiac tissues after another 3 d in the absence of external CHIR99021 shows that CHIR99021‐induced hiPSC‐cardiomyocyte proliferation results in synchronized calcium flow, rhythmic beating, increased speed of contraction and contraction amplitude, and reduced peak‐to‐peak time. The CHIR99021‐stimulated engineered cardiac microtissues exhibit spontaneous rhythmic contractions for at least 35 d. Collectively, the data demonstrate the potential of induced cardiomyocyte proliferation to enhance engineered cardiac microtissues by increasing cardiomyocyte density.
From Molecules to Frameworks to Superframework Crystals
Authors: Ji Zhe , Freund Ralph , Diercks Christian S. , Hirschle Patrick , Yaghi Omar M. , Wuttke Stefan
Published: September 2021

Building chemical structures of complexity and functionality approaching the level of biological systems is an ongoing challenge. A general synthetic strategy is proposed by which progressive levels of complexity are achieved through the building block approach whereby molecularly defined constructs at one level serve as constituent units of the next level, all being linked through strong bonds—”augmented reticular chemistry”. Specifically, current knowledge of linking metal complexes and organic molecules into reticular frameworks is applied here to linking the crystals of these frameworks into supercrystals (superframeworks). This strategy allows for the molecular control exercised on the molecular regime to be translated into higher augmentation levels to produce systems capable of dynamics and complex functionality far exceeding current materials.